More and more fungus-resistant grape varieties are allowed to be used in France. These grapes are hybrids but with a fair amount of Vitis vinifera blood, which guarantees a good taste. In January, an Italian grape variety called fleurtai was authorised for use in vin de france wines (wines without a geographical indication). Other resistant grape varieties that have been approved for use in France are mainly varieties made in France.
Italy usually names its new grapes differently than France. The Italians give them names reminiscent of the Vitis vinifera grape used as a parent. There are names such as cabernet volos, merlot khorus, sauvignon kretos.
France has so far chosen not to approve grapes with these misleading names. But in Italy, they think it is good to include the grape’s name with which it has, they say, significant similarities.
The French give their fungus-resistant grapes names such as artaban, floreal, vidoc and voltis. In fact, Voltis has recently been approved for limited use in AOP Champagne.
Is it an illustration of Italy’s talent for riding on trends (think prosecco, for example) and France’s more restrained traditionalism?
Read more: Mon-viti
