By Scarlett C.

The Institut National de l'Origine et de la Qualite (INAO) has formally given the green light for the use of four new red varieties – Arinarnoa, Castets, Touriga Nacional and Marselan, as well as two white varieties – Alvarinho and Lilorila, with plantings scheduled to go ahead this year.  

These varieties were mooted by Bordeaux winemakers two years ago as a way of better handling different growth cycles and ripening periods as the climate changes.  

今年INAO 正式批准六款葡萄品種今年在波爾多種植，分別是Arinarnoa, Castets, Touriga Nacional and Marselan和兩款白葡萄: Alvarinho and Lilorila

兩年前波爾多為應付全球暖化需要，果農們提出採納以上品種作為合法種植，因為它們較易掌握生長周期和熟成時間。

Scientists studied over 50 different varieties before selecting the final six, which are believed to possess the optimum qualities to handle water stress and for being later ripening.   Initially, the new varieties will only account for 5% of plantings, and no more than 10% of the blend.  

Existing varieties which are permitted for Bordeaux production currently include: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Carménère, Petit Verdot for red – and Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Muscadelle, Colombard, Ugni Blanc, Merlot Blanc and Mauzac for white.

科學家由50款品種選擇了最終6款，相信可有效對抗水份不足和過熟的問題。新品種只能佔農地的5%, 及不能多於10%裝瓶混釀。

現在波爾多合法釀造品種: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Carménère, Petit Verdot for red – and Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Muscadelle, Colombard, Ugni Blanc, Merlot Blanc and Mauzac for white.

Bordeaux located at the south-west of France, the growth of grape would affect by the quick climate change. Winery threaten by the heat and bacterial invasion in order to keep the style consistence. The new varieties have low sensitive of disease and higher potential of late harvest, which can maintain the same style, production and quality. 

所謂的全球暖化影響是因為波爾多位於法國西南部，天氣變化較多，令葡萄生長期中有很多不確定性。炎熱加上細菌入侵，令酒莊面對風格統一的挑戰。新葡萄品種相對上對疾病的敏感性較低。也可在氣候漸暖的環境下有較大晚收的潛力，確保葡萄保持一定的風味，產量和質素。