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In the Rhône, the share of white and rosé wines is to be increased from currently 24 percent to 33 percent in the next ten years. This was decided by the region's general assembly. According to the umbrella organisation Inter Rhône, the change will be accompanied by a marketing campaign costing almost three million. White wines, which currently account for 14 percent of total production, will be the focus of the effort, with two million euros In Focus. According to Philippe Pellaton, president of Inter Rhône, white wine production is to be increased from 260,000 hectolitres to 300,000 hectolitres (380,000 hectolitres including sparkling wine) and rosé production from 357,000 hectolitres to 467,000 hectolitres in the next ten years.
Improvements in viticultural knowledge should help producers to exploit the maximum permitted yields per hectare. In 2021, the average yield for Côtes du Rhône was 41 hectolitres per hectare, whereas 51 hectolitres per hectare would be permitted. It is not clear whether these yields can be achieved due to the effects of climate change. However, there are some white wine varieties in the area that are well adapted to hot and dry conditions, such as Picpoul and Bourboulenc. In addition, the region is experimenting with new varieties that could be officially approved by 2031. Currently, they are limited as trials to up to ten percent in cuvées.
Floreal is a very disease-resistant white hybrid variety. Carignan Blanc and Rolle have already proven their suitability for dry conditions in other hot regions of France. Vidoc is a tannin-rich, rot-resistant red hybrid variety.
(al / source: drinksbusiness; photo: wikimedia Veronique Pagnier)
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