Franciacorta, the sparkling wine DOCG from Lombardy, has made move to allow its own indigenous variety to be used in blends alongside Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco. Silvano Brescianini, vice president of Franciacorta and director of Barone Pizzini winery, told Decanter.com that he expects Erbamat to be an ‘ally’ against climate change, partly because of its later ripening profile.

Erbamat, it is a late ripening white grape that makes quite neutral, high-acid wines. Although Erbamat is not officially allowed yet, the Italian ministry of Agriculture and the consortium of Franciacorta approved the new varietal for inclusion on 4 January.