Six new Bordeaux varieties receive final approval for planting this spring

Bordeaux will see the introduction of six new grape varieties going into the ground this spring, including Touriga Nacional and Albariño in their Bordeaux AOC and Bordeaux Superieur AOC wines. Initially approved by winemakers in 2019, the varieties have now passed their final hurdle and will be planted for the first time this spring 2021.

Bordeaux producers are concerned about the loss in acidity, structure and flavour intensity associated with global warming. All the new varieties that will be planted for the first time in 2021 are also disease resistant, a very important point given Bordeaux wet and rot- inducing climate.

The 4 new red varieties are the Portuguese Touriga Nacional, Rhône’s Marselan, Pyrenees’ Castets and Arinarnoa - a crossing between Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon developed in 1956 by French research agency INRA. The 2 white varieties are Spain’s increasingly popular Albariño grape variety and Liliorila another new variety from the INRA, also developed in 1956.

All the new varieties at the moment can only make up a maximum of 10% of any blended wine.