New permitted grape varieties in Rioja: Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Verdejo

Three new grape varieties have been approved for blending in white Rioja wines: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo. The three varieties must not make up more than 49% of the blend in a wine though. The rest must be made up of the “traditional” white Rioja grapes: Maccabeu, Malvoisie and Grenache Blanc. OIPVR (Organización Interprofesional del Vino de Rioja) have approved the varieties as of the 2007 harvest. www.vitisphere.com