A recent study shows that some lesser-known grape varieties fit the style of classic Bordeaux surprisingly well. People tested 26 blue varieties not currently allowed in Bordeaux, and found that five of them tasted similar to the currently allowed blue grape varieties, namely fer servadou, duras, manseng noir, vinhão and arinarnoa.
Scientists had wine experts and enthusiasts taste blind and found that wines with the 'alternative' grapes were hardly distinguishable from traditional blends with the traditional cabernet sauvignon, meelot, cabernet franc and petit verdot. However, the tasting panels did discover some differences in flavour when percentages of, say, vinhão or fer servadou in a blend were (too) high. So follow-up research is needed, but these five varieties certainly have potential for Bordeaux.
Why is this interesting? Climate change is forcing Bordeaux producers to think about the future. Varieties that are more resistant to heat and drought can help maintain the elegance and structure of Bordeaux wines. And maybe in a few decades we will be drinking a 'classic' Bordeaux ... with a completely new grape composition.
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