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In Alsace, Syrah, Nebbiolo, Chenin Blanc and Vermentino may be officially cultivated for experimental purposes in future. After the Institute for Origin and Quality Assurance (INAO) abandoned its objections to the use of grape varieties typical of other regions, a total of ten grape varieties were included in the specifications for the AOC wines of Alsace and Crémant d'Alsace. They were approved as "Variétés d'Intérêt à Fin d'Adaptation" (VIFA). VIFA refers to grape varieties that are not native to a particular wine-growing region but could be of interest due to their adaptability to climatic changes and other environmental factors. They are cultivated experimentally to find out whether they have positive characteristics for adapting to new conditions.
In addition to the four grape varieties typical of other regions - Nebbiolo (Piedmont), Syrah (Rhône), Chenin Blanc (Loire) and Vermentino (known as Rolle in Provence) - the Piwi varieties Opalor, Selenor, Voltis, Johanniter, Souvignier gris and Coliris have also been authorised. The agreement allows each company to work with the VIFA varieties on a maximum of five per cent of its land for ten years and to use them in cuvées with a maximum proportion of ten per cent.
(al / source: vitisphere)