Some rare grape varieties The grapes for rare varietal wines find their way into Australia by design or accident, but if they are to survive they need someone with passion and perseverance to exploit their potential in their new home. The growers sometimes have family connections to the place of origin of variety, but in other cases climate matching may suggest an alternative variety in a new area. The Wine Grape Varietal Table is a visual way to learn about wine varieties. It is also a stunning addition to your tastingroom, cellar, office or den. | Today's rare varietals have at least the potential to become the new rage tomorrow. This is clearly the case with the Viognier variety. It was on the verge of extinction a few short decades ago when a few enthusiasts of Condrieu wines recognised the potential of Viognier. It is now one of the hottest varieties on the block, as a white varietal, and as the minor partner with Shiraz in co-pigmentation of red wines. ****Here is a complete list of varieties described on this site.*** What will be the next rare varietal to take off? Here are a few possibilities which are at present being nurtured by an enthusiastic handful of Australian growers. Aligote The second string white grape variety (after Chardonnay) in Burgundy. Used for wine intended to be drunk young or mixed with cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) to make a refreshing aperitif called kir. Grown in the Mornington Peninsula by Hickinbotham, who blend it with Chardonnay. Alicante bouschet A red wine variety which is falling from favour in most areas of the world, including Australia. Curiously, unlike most other varieties the juice as well as the skin is pigmented. Represented in Australia by Rockford in the Barossa Valley and Vinden in the Hunter Valley. Alvarinho A white wine variety whose home is north west Spain and Portugal. Some commentators believe it is the same variety as Petit manseng which is widely grown in South-west France on the other side of the Pyrenees. Eumundi in Queensland is the only grower of this variety that I know of in Australia. The high quality of the Alvarhino wines from Spain suggest that it only a matter of time before the variety is given more widespread attention in Australia. Arenal Little is known of this white grape variety other than it is a hybrid between Grenache Gris and Saint Pierre. It is grown in the Riverina by Beelgara Estate. CiennaAn Australian-bred wine developed from a crossing of Cabernet Sauvignon and the Spanish variety Sumoll. Brown Brothers and Yalumba are pioneering this variety. Cortese This is a white grape variety from Lombardy North West Italy. It is the variety behind the famous Gavi wine. Lost Valley Winery, in the Central Victorian Highlands has reputedly the only Cortese plantings outside the rare variety's Italian home. Their Cortese has received acclaim from wine writers and critics. You can buy it online from the winery. Lagrein An Italian red wine Variety from Trentino-Alto Adige. A handful of growers in Australia are now trying it out. The Cobaw Ridge Winery in the Macedon Ranges region of Victoria is fast gaining recognition as a leader in pioneering this variety. Their 2002 Lagrein scored 91 points in James Halliday's Wine Companion, 2005 edition. Lagrein is also grown in South Australia by Domain Day Wines and Hartz Barn Wines. Lemberger This is a red wine variety grown in Germany and also in Austria under the name 'Blaufrankisch'. In Australia it is grown in the Adelaide Hills at the Hahndorf Hill Winery. Malian This variety arose as a sport* of a Cabernet sauvignon vine at the Cleggett vineyard at Langhorne Creek. Cleggett Wines makes an early picked and a late picked rose style wine from a small planting. A further sport of Malian gave rise to Shalastin. (see below) Picolit This is a rare white grape variety from the North East Italy. It has a bad reputation for poor fruit set in the vineyard which may contribute to its unpopularity. It is used to produce late picked passito wines. Italian wine grape enthusiasts Di Lusso Estate from Mudgee in NSW are the Australian pioneers of this variety. They produced their first vintage of Picolit in 2003 and hope to develop both their knowledge and the quality of the wine. Refosco Refosco is a rare variety from North Eastern Italy. There is some debate about whether Refosco is a single variety. Ampelographers identify several types. It is also grown in Slovenia and Greece. In Australia the variety is grown at the Blanche Barkly winery at Kingower in the Bendigo region. This region is well known for its shiraz and perhaps Refosco's late ripening habit will allow it flourish here. Shalistin This is a sport of Malian (see above). In other words it is a form of Cabernet sauvignon but without the pigments in the skin of the grapes. It produces a wine described as 'golden white'. The only place you can get these unique varieties is at their home at Cleggett Wines at Langhorne Creek. Trollinger A German variety known as Schiava in Italy. Hahndorf Hill Winery in the Adelaide Hills use this variety to make a rose. Tyrian This new red wine variety was bred by Australia’s CSIRO. It is a hybrid of Cabernet Sauvignon and the Spanish variety Sumoll. The aim of the breeding program was to produce a high quality variety which would thrive in warm, dry areas. Tyrian ripens later than Cabernet Sauvignon and the juice has higher acid, thus allowing winemakers to make a stable wine in warmer conditions. The wines produced have a bright hue. The name Tyrian comes from tyrian purple, a bright purple dye used in the Ancient Mediterranean. McWilliams Wines have been producing McWilliams Regional Collection Riverina Tyrian since 1999. That's not all folks! Obviously this page is a work in progress. The times are a-changing! Even given the long lead time between deciding to plant a new rare varietal and the having the ultimate product ready to drink, you will need to come back here frequently to stay up to date! Or you might like to sign up to the Vinodiversity Newsletter to get a monthly update. For regular news from Vinodiversity, visit the Vinodiversity Blog Email suggestions about other rare varietal wines or growers who should be listed here are most welcome. * A sport is a natural or spontaneously occurring mutation of an existing variety. In the case of Malian and Shalistin, the vines are identical to Cabernet sauvignon except that they have less or no pigment in the skin Keep up to date with the latest news about the rapidly changing scene. Subscribe to our Newsletter. | 
