ask the

If the fits then you can grow it

THE AWRI OFTEN fields queries about alternative varieties and how they might suit Australian conditions. Some advice on how to source suitable alternative varieties is provided.

While recently travelling in Portugal, I came across a winegrape variety that I think will have great potential in my region. How can I determine if this particular variety is already in Australia and if it would be available to me for propagation? There are many varieties in Portugal that have great potential for Australian conditions and have yet to be introduced. In the first instance, check the current edition of the Australian and New Zealand Industry Directory (WID) published by Winetitles, to determine if any wine producer has listed this variety – in which case it should already be in the country. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be available to you in the short- term because it may have been imported privately and currently be subject to a non-propagation agreement. Also, don’t New taste: These vines are Albarino (Portuguese name Alvarinho) from the Vinho Verde region in assume that the information in the WID northern Portugal. Photo courtesy of PR Dry. is entirely accurate because there have been instances of invalid naming in the past. For example, there are two Australia include Arinto, Azal, Viosinho your variety of interest in a reference producers in the 2013 edition of WID (whites) and Alfrocheiro and Prieto such as Robinson et al. (2012) Wine who have assumed, incorrectly, that Picudo (reds). Also, Yalumba Nursery (Harper Collins). It might be that Godello is a synonym of Verdelho. True has several varieties in quarantine and it is already here but under a different Godello is in the CSIRO collection but source blocks of new imports of clones of name. For example, Tinta Caida is a not known to be yet commercially grown Albarino, Tempranillo and Vermentino. recent import but it has already been here in Australia. Also, just because a variety There is also a possibility that your for many years as Bonvedro. is grown commercially in the eastern variety of interest has already been Of course, this might not deter you states does not mean that it can readily imported privately and is either in from importing what might be a better be imported into WA because that state quarantine or in the ground. In Australia, clone of this variety if a suitable overseas has its own quarantine regulations. unlike the USA, information on private supplier can be found. Some other recent Also check with CSIRO, South imports is not in the public domain and ‘discoveries’ as a result of DNA research, Australian Research and Development the first that is known about a given described in ‘Wine Grapes’, that might Institute (SARDI) and other government variety being in the country is when a be pertinent to Australian importers agencies to determine if the variety producer lists it for the first time in the include: Nera (, of interest is already here in existing WID or makes a public announcement. Basilicata) is actually Tempranillo; germplasm collections. However, if it For example, the following varieties Bianco from Calabria is not the same as is, this may not be much use at present have appeared for the first time in the the Greco of ; and the of because these agencies have imposed WID in recent years: Bianco d’Alessano, Puglia (now renamed Minutolo) is not the a freeze on distribution from their Blaufränkisch, Colorino, Lambrusco same as the Fiano of Campania. collections until such time as the ‘Review Maestri, Tintilia and Zweigelt. As an Before going down the path of private into Grapevine Germplasm Collections example of the latter, Jim Barry at importation, producers should be aware in Australia’ has been completed (see Clare announced in 2011 that they had that it is an expensive and complicated GWRDC website for summary of the imported the white variety Assyrtiko process because of quarantine report). from Greece (the first small crop was regulations. The next ports of call are the vine harvested in 2013). Also, some importers Producers are well advised to consult improvement organisations and of germplasm such as Chalmers someone who has experience in this field. nurseries. For example, the Riverland Wines have been very willing to share The AWRI is able to provide details of Vine Improvement Committee information: for example, they are in such people in Australia and a potential Incorporated has lists on its website of the process of importing Falanghina, supplier of germplasm in Portugal. recent imports and varieties in their , , Ribolla Gialla and For further information, contact the AWRI source blocks. Some recent imports from . team, [email protected] from Portugal and Spain that are new to Finally, check out the synonyms of Phone: 08 8313 6600.

December 2013 – Issue 599 www.winebiz.com.au Grapegrower & Winemaker 57