Welcome to the World, SLO Coast AVA!

Base map via the TTB/AVA Explorer

Base map via the TTB/AVA Explorer

On March 8 (2022) the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) of the United States announced the approval of the San Luis Obispo Coast (SLO Coast) American Viticultural Area (AVA). The newly minted AVA is located within San Luis Obispo County (California) and is a sub-appellation of the larger California Central Coast AVA. Two existing AVAs—the Edna Valley and the Arroyo Grande Valley AVA lie completely within the San Luis Obispo Coast AVA.

Two names—San Luis Obispo Coast and SLO Coast—have been approved for the region, and either may be used.

The SLO Coast AVA covers a total of 480,585-acres, stretching over 60 miles/115 km of Pacific Coastline from Ragged Point to just beyond Grover Beach. The area includes the coastal communities of San Simeon, Cambria, and Morro Bay.

The AVA currently contains over 78 commercial vineyards planted to just over 5,000 acres/2,025 hectares of vines. Chardonnay (43%) and Pinot Noir (35%) are the leading grape varieties of the area, followed by smaller plantings of Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet Sauvignon (among others). There are over 50 wineries located in the SLO Coast AVA.

Base map via the TTB/AVA Explorer

Base map via the TTB/AVA Explorer

According to the original petition to establish the AVA—originally submitted to the TTB in July of 2017 by the members of the SLO Wine Collective—the distinguishing features of the SLO Coast AVA are its topography, climate, and soils, as described below.

Topography: The SLO Coast AVA consists of low-lying coastal terraces, foothills, and small valleys along the Pacific Coast. Most of the area—as much as 97% of the region—is at or below 1,800 feet/548 meters in elevation. The eastern edge of the area is marked by Santa Lucia Mountain Range, marking the cooler, coastal-influenced land within the AVA with the warmer area on the inland side of the mountains.

Climate: As would be expected of an area directly along the Pacific Coast, the SLO Coast AVA has an overall cool, maritime climate. The average growing degree day (GDD) temperature accumulation is 2,493—establishing the area as Region I according to the Winkler Scale. Average temperatures for the growing season are between 47.5° and 52° Fahrenheit (8.6° to 11°C). More significantly, the average maximum temperature during the growing season hovers between 70° and 78°F (21° to 25.5°C). Fog cover is often present (at night and in the morning) during the growing season.

Soils: Four basic soil types are present in the region. The soils covering most of the area in the northern stretches of the AVA consist of weathered sedimentary soils, including a degree of sandstone and shale. Further to the south, the soils are derived mainly from marine deposits and include sand and loam. A small section located on the inland side of the appellation contains volcanic soils. A narrow stretch of the coastline itself is comprised mainly of wind deposits and sand dunes and is considered unsuitable for viticulture.

When the SLO Coast AVA comes into force on April 8 (2022), the total number of AVAs in the United States will be 261. Of these, 143 will be in California.

Welcome to the world, San Luis Obispo Coast/SLO Coast AVA!

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

 

 

Welcome to the World, Vino de Pago Dehesa Peñalba!

Calle de tierra entre vides en un viñedo durante agostoOn February 28 (2022), the EU granted its approval to a new Spanish wine appellation—the Vino de Pago Dehesa Peñalba—as a protected designation of origin/PDO for red wine.

The new appellation is located along the south bank of the Duero River—just to the west of the Ribera del Duero DO—in the central portion of the comunidad autónoma of Castilla y León. The news was announced to the world via its approval and publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The Vino de Pago Dehesa Peñalba is approved for red wines based on Tempranillo, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and/or Merlot. Both mono-varietal wines and multi-varietal (blended) wines are produced. The appellation carries some very specific production requirements for its wines; some of these are discussed below:

  • Vino Tinto Joven (Young Red Wines):
    • Grapes are hand-harvested and chilled upon arrival at the winery
    • Pre-fermentation cold soak (5-10 °C) is conducted for 5 to 8 days
    • Primary fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks
    • Post-fermentation, the wine is aged on the lees for at least 15 days
    • Micro-oxygenation is carried out at a dosage rate of 15 ml per liter per month for 3 days and 6 ml per liter per month for 8 days.
  • Vino Tinto con Envejecimiento (Aged Red Wines):
    • All of the procedures listed above apply, and the wines are aged in 225-liter oak barrels or 5,000-liter wooden vats for at least 12 months (but typically 24 months or longer).

14594304_lThe area inside the demarcated Vino de Pago Deheasa Peñalba zone is an uninterrupted stretch of land situated just south of the Duero River. The warm, sandy, and well-drained soils are punctuated by gravel and pebbles. The area is surrounded by pine forests and well-positioned to enjoy a long, frost-free growing season that in turn helps to create well-ripened grapes with deeply colored skin and a high phenolic content. Well-known wineries in the region include Bodegas Vizar and Abadía Retuerta.

The new vino de pago is named for Peñalba de Duero—a long-abandoned town located along the banks of the Duero River. Viticulture in the area has a documented history dating back to 1751; however, it is believed that vines have been cultivated in the area since the fifteenth century. Throughout recorded history, the area has been variously referred to as Dehesa, La Dehesa, Dehesa de Peñalba, and Peñalba La Verde in addition to Peñalba de Duero. However, all of these names refer to the same place, which has been known as Dehesa Peñalba for at least the last 30 years.

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

The Evolution of Bubbly Bordeaux

Two glasses filled with pink champagneSparkling wine made in Bordeaux—as produced under the Crémant de Bordeaux AOC—has always been something of an enigma. After all, Bordeaux is known as the land of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

However, traditional method sparkling wine is produced in Bordeaux—using the same slate of grapes as are allowed in the more recognizable dry red and sweet white wines of the region. While the output is small—as little as 2.7% of the region’s total output, for a typical annual output of just over six million bottles—sparkling wines have been made in the area for a little over one hundred years. The specific appellation for bubbly—Crémant de Bordeaux AOC—was originally approved (for white and rosé sparkling wine) in 1990.

Map via the INAO

Map via the INAO

The white wines—Crémant de Bordeaux Blanc—may be produced using a minimum of 70% (combined) Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Carmenère, Muscadelle, Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Sauvignon Gris; (optionally) accompanied by up to 30% of the accessory varieties (Colombard, Merlot Blanc, and Ugni Blanc). However, a typical bottle of Crémant de Bordeaux Blanc will be based on Sémillon (which accounts for over 60% of the vineyards dedicated to Bordeaux bubbly) and Sauvignon Blanc.

Until recently, Crémant de Bordeaux Rosé was allowed to be made using the red grapes of the region—Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Carmenère—only. However, this has recently changed.

The Cahier des Charges for the Crémant de Bordeaux was updated in November of 2021, and with the publication in the Official Journal of the EU on February 24, 2022, the following change was made—rosé may be produced using a minimum of 70% of the named red grapes; the other 30% may comprise certain white grapes of Bordeaux. The allowed white grapes include Muscadelle, Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Sauvignon Gris. Of these, Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris are limited to a maximum of 10% of the blend (each).

According to this article published by Meininger’s Wine Business International in July of 2021, the changes are intended to counteract future issues that may arise from climate change, as well as to allow for the creation of a crisp, “fresher” flavor profile in Crémant de Bordeaux Rosé. The changes will be in force as of the 2021 vintage.

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Dispatch from the Etna DOC

.

.

There are changes underfoot in the Etna DOC and for once, they do not involve the rumbling mountain. Rather, a few updates to the Disciplinare di Produzione for the Etna DOC have been announced (and published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana on February 3, 2022).

These updates do not impact the current regulations for the bianco/white wines of the region (produced using a minimum of 60% Carricante) nor the rosso/red or rosato/rosé (produced from a minimum of 80% Nerello Mascalese).

Rather, these changes add a bit of specificity (and hopefully, prestige) to the sparkling wines of the Etna DOC. Previously, the region was approved for the production of sparkling wines (both white and rosé) grouped under one classification—spumante—based on a minimum of 60% Nerello Mascalese.

Photo via: sostatresanti.com

Photo via: sostatresanti.com

Under the new regulations, two styles of sparkling wines are allowed to be produced, both requiring a minimum of 80% Nerello Mascalese:

  • Etna Spumante Bianco DOC
    • Grape varieties:
      • Minimum 80% Nerello Mascalese
      • Maximum 20% “other grapes suitable for cultivation in Sicily”
    • Color: “giallo paglierino più o meno intense” (straw yellow, somewhat intense)
    • Aroma: “intenso e caratteristico, talvolta con note agrumate accompagnate” (intense, citrus, yeast)
    • Must be vinified as a white wine using red grapes
  • Etna Spumante Rosato/Rosè DOC
    • Grape varieties:
      • Minimum 80% Nerello Mascalese
      • Maximum 20% “other grapes suitable for cultivation in Sicily”
    • Color: “rosato più o meno intenso anche con riflessi aranciati” (intense pink/rose with orange inflections)
    • Aroma: “intenso e caratteristico, con note floreali e speziate accompagnate da un delicato sentore di lievito” (floral/spicy/yeast)
    • May be vinified as a rosé wine using red grapes and/or may be produced using a combination of white and red grapes
  • The following standards have not changed, and apply to both styles of Etna Spumante DOC:
    • Production method: must be produced via the traditional method of sparkling wine production (second fermentation in the bottle)
    • Lees aging: minimum of 18 months
    • Sweetness level: Brut or Extra Dry
    • Alcohol: minimum 11% abv
.

.

As with all such updates, this change will need to wind its way through EU authorization; however, as the Italian government has granted their approval, the changes will be in force (as scheduled) with the release of the wines of the 2020 vintage. If the EU fails to approve the amendment, the regulation will be rescinded (although this is quite unlikely to happen).

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

It’s Official: Bannockburn GI

Pinot Noir vineyards along the Kawarau River

Pinot Noir vineyards along the Kawarau River

On February 1 (2022), the New Zealand Office of Intellectual Property registered Bannockburn as an official geographical indication (GI) for wine production. Bannockburn is now a registered sub-region of the Central Otago GI (as well as a GI in its own right).

In New Zealand—as is done in most of the world of wine beyond Europe—geographical indications do not assign restrictions as to grape varieties or wine styles grown and produced, but rather define just the physical boundaries of a region.

Here are some of the defining characteristics of the newly minted Bannockburn GI:

  • The Bannockburn GI is located within the larger Cromwell Basin and defined by the Kawarau River and Lake Dunstan to the north and the high mountains of the Southern Alps—specifically the Cairnmuir and Carrick Ranges—to the east, south and west.
  • The southern edge of the area is drawn along a contour measured at 400 meters/1,320 feet above sea level. From this line, the area slopes gently down to an elevation of 195 meters/650 feet, with generally north-facing slopes and terraces.
  • Soil types include decomposed greywacke, schist, ancient lakebed sediment (alluvium), quartz (gravel), sand, and loess.
  • The location—within the Cromwell Basin and surrounded by mountains—means that rainfall is low and the climate is classified as “truly continental.”’
  • Bannockburn GI is the warmest part of Central Otago and further from the sea than most other points in New Zealand.
www.iponz.govt.nz

www.iponz.govt.nz

The leading grape varieties of the Bannockburn GI include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Riesling. Minor plantings include Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc, and Grūner Veltliner. As of 2019, the area had total of 145 acres/350 hectares planted to commercial vines.

The first vinifera vines in the area were planted by John Olssen and Heather MacPherson in 1991. The term “Bannockburn” was first used on a wine label to indicate place-of-orign for grapes in 2009. At last count, there were six wineries operating in the area (and several others making wine from Bannockburn fruit). Current producers include Terra Sancta Winery, Felton Road Winery, Mount Difficulty, Carrick Winery, and Akura Winery.

Welcome to the world, Bannockburn GI!

Note: the Central Otago GI is considered to contain five other sub-regions. However, we have not (yet) found any evidence of an effort to declare these areas as geographical indications and as such, these other five sub-regions remain unofficial. For the record, they are: Gibbston; Cromwell, Lowburn and Pisa; Bendigo; Wanaka; and Alexandra.

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Introducing…Sekt Austria PDO!

Celebrating New Year with champagne and fireworksWith the debut of the Sekt Austria PDO, the Austrian Wine Marketing Board has announced a change in the way that the country’s sparkling wines will be classified and labeled. Prior to the change, these wines were labeled using the term Sekt gU—an initialism referring to the term geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung. This change (announced on February 2, 2022 and effective immediately) is designed to draw attention to the fact that these wines—easily recognizable by the red-and-white striped banderole on the capsule—are produced using 100% Austrian grapes.

Three tiers of quality wine—including Reserve and Grosse Reserve—will be produced under the Sekt Austria PDO. Wine labeled under the Sekt Austria PDO designation may be made using any approved sparkling wine production method (including the tank method/méthode Charmat or transfer method); Reserve and Grosse Reserve wines must undergo a second fermentation and less aging in the bottle (according to the traditional method/méthode traditionelle of sparkling wine production).

Photo of Austria’s Thermenregion by Anna Stöcher ©AWMB

Photo of Austria’s Thermenregion by Anna Stöcher ©AWMB

Further details of these tiers are as follows:

  • Sekt Austria PDO:
    • Grapes must be harvested from a single (federal) state
    • Any approved sparkling wine production method may be used
    • Minimum 9 months aging on the lees
  • Sekt Austria Reserve PDO:
    • Grapes must be harvested from a single (federal) state
    • Grapes must be hand harvested
    • Must be produced using the traditional method
    • Minimum 18 months aging on the lees
  • Sekt Austria Grosse Reserve PDO:
    • Grapes must be harvested from a single municipality
    • Grapes must be hand harvested
    • Must be produced using the traditional method
    • Minimum 36 months aging on the lees
    • Wines may be labeled with a single vineyard as the designation of origin

Austrian Sekt PDO may be produced using any of the 40 grapes allowed for use in the production of Qualitätswein in Austria and must contain at least 3.5 atm of pressure. Click here for a list of The-Austria-40-wine-grapes-approved-for-use-in-Austria.

Note: Austria will continue to allow the production of Sekt without a geographical indication; such wines may be labeled with the term Austrian Sekt or Austrian Qualitätsschaumwein—without the notation of PDO.

As with all such updates, this change will need to wind its way through EU authorization; however, as the Austrian government has granted their approval, the changes will be in force (as scheduled) with the release of the wines of the 2021 vintage. If the EU fails to approve the amendment, the regulation will be rescinded (although this is quite unlikely to happen).

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Way to go, Wagram! (Now a DAC)

Photo of the Wagram Region by Klaus Egle ©AWMB

Photo of the Wagram Region by Klaus Egle ©AWMB

On February 2 (2022) the Austrian Wine Marketing Board announced the approval of a new Districtus Austriae Controllatus (DAC) wine region: the Wagram DAC.

This newly defined quality wine designation has been approved by Elisabeth Köstinger, Austria’s Minister of Agriculture, Sustainability and Tourism and is scheduled to take effect with the release of the wines of the 2021 vintage. With the approval of the Wagram DAC, Austria has a total of 17 PDO-defined wine regions permitted to use the term DAC.

The Wagram region is located in the Austrian State of Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), immediately to the north and west of Vienna (and the Wiener Gemischter Satz DAC). The Danube River flows through the region, dividing it into the rolling hills around the town of Klosterneuburg (south and west of the river) and the flatter Wagram Plateau (to the river’s north and east).

Map of the Wagram Region ©AWMB

Map of the Wagram Region ©AWMB

The region currently has approximately 2,440 ha/6,030 acres of vines. Leading varieties include Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Roter Veltliner (a pink-skinned grape), Zweigelt, and Pinot Noir. White wines produced under the Wagram DAC are not allowed to demonstrate “dominant” notes of wood (in aroma or flavor).

The Wagram DAC will produce three tiers of wine. These are as follows: Riedenwein (single-vineyard wine), Ortswein (wine from a specific village), and Gebietswein (regional wine). The specific regulations include the following:

  • Riedenwein (single-vineyard wine):
    • Only mono-varietal white wines are allowed
    • Allowed grape varieties (3): Grüner Veltliner, Roter Veltliner, Riesling
  • Ortswein (wine from a specific village):
    • Only mono-varietal wines are allowed
    • Allowed grape varieties (7): Grüner Veltliner, Roter Veltliner, Riesling, Chardonnay, Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Blauburgunder, Zweigelt
  • Gebietswein (regional wine):
    • Mono-varietal wines and blends are allowed
    • Field blends may be labeled with the term Gemischter Satz
    • Allowed grape varieties (13): Grüner Veltliner, Roter Veltliner, Riesling, Chardonnay, Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Blauburgunder, Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris), Frühroter Veltliner, Gelber Muskateller, Traminer, Sauvignon Blanc, St. Laurent, Zweigelt

As with all such updates, this change will need to wind its way through EU authorization; however, as the Austrian government has granted their approval, the changes will be in force (as scheduled) with the release of the wines of the 2021 vintage. If the EU fails to approve the amendment, the regulation will be rescinded (although this is quite unlikely to happen).

Welcome to the world, Wagram DAC!

The Austrian Wine Marketing Board has also announced some changes to the classification system for Austrian Sekt. Click here for more information on the newly approved Sekt Austria PDO.

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Dispatch from Alsace (How Sweet it is)

.

.

Here’s a newsworthy tidbit: beginning with the wines of the 2021 vintage, white wines produced under the Alsace/Vin d’Alsace AOC will be required to state their sweetness level on the label. This declaration may be narrative (using the terms sec, demi-sec, moelleux, or doux) or a graphic representation of a “sweetness scale.”

  • The sweetness terms, which abide by general EU definitions, are as follows:
    • Sec: 4 g/L sugar or less, or 9 g/L (or less) provided the level of tartaric acid is within 2 g/L of the amount of sugar
    • Demi-Sec: 12 g/L sugar or less, or 18 g/L (or less) provided there is a minimum of 10 g/L of tartaric acid
    • Moelleux: 45 g/L sugar or less
    • Doux: More than 45 g/L sugar

This provision is not—yet—part of the rules and regulations for the Alsace AOC, although a proposal for a modification to the Cahier des Charges has been submitted to the INAO and was published in France’s Journal Officiel in June of 2021.  Rather, it is now codified via its publication by the Direction Générale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Répression des Fraudes/DGCCRF of France (General Directorate for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control).

Example of a sweetness scale via the DGCCRF

Example of a sweetness scale via the DGCCRF

In the proposed modification of the appellation’s Cahier des Charges—now working its way through the legislative jungle—the new standard is applied under Article XII: Règles de Présentation et Étiquetage (Presentation and Labeling Rules), which state the following:

  • Les vins blancs pour lesquels, aux termes du présent cahier des charges, est revendiquée l’appellation d’origine contrôlée “Alsace” ou “Vin d’Alsace,” à l’exception des mentions “Vendanges Tardives” et “Sélection de Grains Nobles,” qui sont présentés sous ladite appellation ne peuvent être offerts au public, expédiés, mis en vente ou vendus, sans que dans les annonces, sur les prospectus, étiquettes, factures et récipients quelconques, la mention de la teneur en sucre telle que définie par la règlementation Européenne ne soit inscrite le tout en caractères très apparents.
    • Translated and paraphrased, this states the following: The white wines labeled under these specifications as “Alsace” or “Vin d’Alsace” [with the exception of those labeled as Vendanges Tardives or Sélection de Grains nobles] may not be offered to the public, shipped, offered for sale or sold without the mention of the sugar content (as defined by EU regulations) listed on all containers in very visible characters.

It should be noted that this new ruling applies only to the standard white wines (vins blancs) of the Alsace/Vin d’Alsace AOC, and does not apply to the appellation’s red wines, rosé, or wines labeled with the term vendanges tardives or sélection de grains nobles.

We’ll be keeping an eye out for the approval of the modified Cahier des Charges, but as any wine student knows…these things take time.

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

 

Welcome to the World, Golden Mile Slopes GI!

Mount Kobau defines the eastern edge of the Golden Mile Slopes GI

Mount Kobau defines the eastern edge of the Golden Mile Slopes GI

British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley GI has a new sub-appellation: the Golden Mile Slopes GI!

Located in the southern portion of the Okanagan Valley, the newly-approved Golden Mile Slopes GI covers the rolling hills and some of the valley floor located between Mount Kobau (to the east) and the floodplain of the Okanagan River (to the south). The Golden Mile Bench GI (approved in 2015) is located along the new appellation’s northern border.

  • According to the technical description of the new appellation (submitted to the British Columbia Wine Authority in September of 2020), the unique features of the Golden Mile Slopes GI include the following:
    • Soils based on sediment, sand, gravel, and alluvial fans deposited by glacial retreat
    • Small lakes—known as kettle lakes—located in a few areas of low elevation
    • A warm, semi-arid climate with less than 350 mm/14 inches of rainfall per year
Map of the Golden Mile Slopes AVA via: BCVQA.ca

Map of the Golden Mile Slopes AVA via: BCVQA.ca

The long, narrow Golden Mile Slopes GI encompasses a total of 590 hectares (1,260 acres). The area is home to just over 37 small commercial vineyards, with approximately 165 ha (408 acres) planted to vinifera vines. At last count, the area included 9 commercial wineries. In addition to vineyards, the area contains fruit trees and annual vegetable production.

Red grapes occupy just over 60% of the commercial vineyard planting in the Golden Mile Slopes GI. Merlot is (by far) the leading red variety, followed by Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir.

Pinot Gris—the leading white grape of the region—is accompanied by Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, and a smattering of Riesling.

Golden Mile Slopes is the fifth sub-appellation of British Columbia’s larger Okanagan Valley GI; the others include Golden Mile Bench, Skaha Bench, Naramata Bench, and Okanagan Falls.

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Dispatch from the Bolgheri DOC

Vineyards in Bolgheri

Vineyards in Bolgheri

The Bolgheri DOC—along with its famous sidekick the Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC—is famous for bold, red wines with the finest “Super Tuscan” pedigree. As such, I was fascinated to learn that when the Bolgheri DOC was first established—in 1983—the appellation was approved for white wines and rosé only, reflecting the traditional production of this region along the Tuscan coast.

Later—in the 1990s—the appellation rules were revised, allowing for the production of red wines based on the range of typical Tuscan red grapes (Sangiovese and friends). Even still, it wasn’t until the 2011 set of appellation updates that red wines based on including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc were allowed to be produced under the Bolgheri DOC.

Which brings us back to today’s news, which deals with a revision in the production standards for white wines—Bolgheri Bianco DOC—produced in the famous appellation. This was announced on December 1 (2021) when the news of the changes to the Disciplinare di Produzione for the Bolgheri DOC were published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana.

  • According to the new standards, Bolgheri Bianco DOC may be produced using the following formulas:
    • Any blend or amount of Vermentino, Sauvignon Blanc, and/or Viognier
    • A maximum of 40% “other white grapes suitable for cultivation in Tuscany”
      • (Trebbiano Toscano is known to be planted in small amounts in the region.)
    • Varietally-labeled white wines may continue to be produced using (a minimum of 85%) Vermentino or Sauvignon Blanc.
Map of the Bolgheri DOC via: www.bolgheridoc.com

Map of the Bolgheri DOC via: www.bolgheridoc.com

Previously, Bolgheri Bianco was required to be produced using a matrix of prescribed “maximum amounts” of certain grapes (including 70% Vermentino (max), 40% Sauvignon Blanc (max), 40% Trebbiano Toscano (max) and 30% other white grapes (max).

According to statistics available on the website of the Consortium (Consorzio di Tutela Bolgheri e Bolgheri Sassicaia), about 11% of the appellation’s total 1,370 hectares (3,385 acres) of grapes are planted to white varieties. Of the white grapes, Vermentino—occupying about 120 hectares (297 acres)—is by far the most widely planted. Sauvignon Blanc comes in second with about 20 hectares (50 acres), followed by 8 hectares (20 acres) of Viognier. Other white grapes are present as well, in trace amounts.

For comparison’s sake, the most widely planted grape in the appellation is Cabernet Sauvignon, clocking in at a total of 502 hectares/ acres.

In other Bolgheri news: Included in the updates is a new regulation that requires any wine bottled under the Bolgheri DOC or Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC to include the term “Toscana” on the label above the term Bolgheri. This seems like a good marketing move.

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org