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The increasingly hot summers are prompting wineries in Tuscany to plant more Cabernet Franc instead of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. For example, the owner of Tenuta di Trinoro, Andrea Franchetti, expects Cabernet Franc to soon replace Cabernet Sauvignon. Many of the most expensive red wines in Tuscany, especially from Bolgheri and Maremma, are made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Among them are Ornellaia or the Saffredi from the Le Pupille winery. According to Axel Heinz, director of Ornellaia, Merlot "undeniably suffers from the intense heat and dryness of vintages like 2017. Cabernet Franc has the remarkable ability to withstand extremely hot weather. It manages to retain much of its aromatic lift and complexity. At Ornellaia, it was the key to success in hot vintages like 2003 or 2009." The winery is experimenting with late-ripening varieties like Montepulciano, which could soon become part of Ornellaia as well.
(al / Source: Drinks Business; Photo: Wikipedia - Ursula Brühl)