South Australia to embrace tasty Cypriot wine variety
The Xynisteri variety is drought resistant and enjoyed by consumers.
Soon you might be taking a new wine to your next Aussie barbecue: Xynisteri.
Researchers led by Alexander Copper have been investigating three Cypriot grape varieties at the University of Adelaide. As well as growing well in hot and dry Australian vineyards, the grapes proved to make tasty wines comparable to Pinot Gris and Chardonnay.
Alex Copper with propagated Xynisteri vines at Waite campus
“With climate change placing greater strain on the resources needed to sustain viticulture, it is necessary for the global wine industry to investigate alternative grape varieties better suited to hotter climates,” says Copper.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have found several grape varieties native to Cyprus, which tolerate drought conditions better than some international varieties popular in Australia, contain chemical compounds responsible for flavours preferred by Australian consumers.