In the world of wine, many enthusiasts are familiar with the popular wine grapes that have long dominated the market. So many that are celebrated for their unique flavours, regional identities, and ability to craft beautiful wines. But as climate change and environmental concerns reshape agriculture, the question arises: can new hybrid grapes, designed to resist disease and thrive with fewer chemical treatments, make wines that rival the classics?
A New Era in Winemaking
Hybrid grapes are not a new concept. They’ve been used for decades in cooler climates, particularly in Northern Europe, to create hardy vines that can withstand harsh conditions. What’s new, however, is the surge in interest from winemakers in traditionally prestigious wine regions, such as Italy and France, where popular wine grapes like Sangiovese and Merlot have been cultivated for centuries.
One of the leading figures in this movement is Nicola Biasi, an oenologist from Northern Italy, who has been experimenting with disease-resistant hybrids. Biasi’s work has demonstrated that these new varieties, when grown with care and vinified with skill, can produce high-quality wines that are just as intriguing as their more established counterparts.
What Makes Hybrids Different?
Popular wine grapes like Montepulciano and Shiraz are prized for their ability to develop rich flavours in the right conditions. These varieties have been perfected over centuries to thrive in specific regions. However, climate change has introduced new challenges, such as the spread of vine diseases like downy mildew, which have wreaked havoc on vineyards. Hybrids, by contrast, are bred to resist such diseases, offering a sustainable alternative that reduces the need for chemical fungicides.
While traditionalists may be sceptical of these newcomers, hybrids are making waves by combining the best of both worlds—resistance to disease and the potential for great flavour. Biasi’s Vin de La Neu, made from the hybrid grape Johanniter, is a perfect example. This white wine offers a complexity that rivals wines made from popular grapes like Trebbiano or Moscato, proving that hybrids can deliver more than just sustainability—they can offer a true sensory experience.
The Legacy of Popular Wine Grapes
Before we get more into hybrids, it’s worth acknowledging the greatness of the popular wine grapes that have dominated winemaking for generations.
- Sangiovese: Known as the backbone of Italy’s famed Chianti wines, Sangiovese is cherished for its bright acidity, red fruit flavours, and ability to age beautifully. It’s a versatile grape that adapts well to different styles, from light and fresh to bold and tannic.
- Montepulciano: Another Italian classic, Montepulciano is beloved for its deep colour, robust body, and flavours of black fruit and spice. Often grown in the Abruzzo region, it’s a crowd-pleaser that offers both quality and accessibility.
- Shiraz: A global star, Shiraz (or Syrah) is known for its full-bodied profile, bold tannins, and notes of blackberry, pepper, and smoky spice. Whether it’s the powerful reds of Australia or the elegant versions from the Rhône Valley, Shiraz continues to impress.
- Merlot: A staple in blends like Bordeaux, Merlot is appreciated for its smooth texture, soft tannins, and flavours of plum and chocolate. It’s a versatile grape that can be enjoyed young or aged for more complexity.
- Moscato: Light, sweet, and aromatic, Moscato is a favourite for those who enjoy an easy-drinking wine. It’s known for its floral notes, peach, and apricot flavours, making it a perfect dessert wine.
- Trebbiano: One of the most widely planted grapes in the world, Trebbiano is often used in white wines. It’s valued for its high acidity and fresh citrus flavours, commonly seen in Italian wines like Orvieto.
Can Hybrids Compete?
With such a rich legacy from these popular wine grapes, can hybrids ever hope to compete? Biasi and other pioneers of hybrid grape winemaking believe they can—and they’re not alone. Across Europe, winemakers are increasingly exploring the potential of hybrids like Johanniter, Solaris, and Soreli, which combine disease resistance with complex flavour profiles.
The key to making great wine from hybrids, according to Biasi, lies in careful cultivation and dedicated oenology. Just as Sangiovese and Merlot need specific winemaking techniques to unlock their full potential, hybrids require a tailored approach to achieve the best results. Biasi’s Vin de La Neu, for instance, is barrel-fermented and aged, creating a wine with depth, citrus notes, and a subtle saltiness that challenges any preconceived notions about hybrids being inferior.
Hybrids like Johanniter may not have the centuries-long history of popular wine grapes, but they offer something new—a chance to create distinctive wines that reflect both their resilience and their terroir. In fact, Biasi and his colleagues have gone so far as to create a flagship blend called Renitens, which brings together several hybrid varieties to showcase their collective strength.
What’s the Future of Hybrids and Popular Wine Grapes?
So, can hybrids make great wines? The answer seems to be yes, but with some important caveats. While hybrids offer a promising solution to the challenges posed by climate change and disease, they must still be grown and vinified with the same attention to detail as any other grape. As Nicola Biasi points out, people won’t drink wine just because it’s sustainable—they’ll drink it because it tastes good.
That said, the introduction of hybrids doesn’t spell the end for popular wine grapes like Sangiovese, Montepulciano, or Shiraz. These grapes remain beloved for a reason, and they continue to produce extraordinary wines around the world. However, hybrids offer an exciting new chapter in winemaking, one where quality and sustainability can go hand in hand.
For wine lovers, this means more options. Whether you prefer the boldness of Shiraz or the fresh acidity of Trebbiano, hybrids are offering something different—wines that are not only delicious but also crafted with the future of the planet in mind.
A New Frontier for Wine
As winemakers like Nicola Biasi continue to push the boundaries of what hybrids can achieve, it’s clear that these new varieties have the potential to make great wines. They may not replace popular wine grapes like Merlot or Montepulciano, but they are carving out a niche of their own, offering wines that are both innovative and environmentally friendly.
At CM Watermelons, for over 40 years, Chris Charalambides has been the leading importer of premium wine grapes from Italy to the UK. His dedication to working with the best producers and vineyards across Abruzzo, Puglia, Bari, and Sicily ensures that wine enthusiasts and winemakers alike can access grapes of the highest quality. Now, his daughter Aliki Charalambides and her experienced team continue this proud tradition, ensuring timely deliveries and exceptional service.
To discover more about our premium Italian wine grapes and how they can elevate your winemaking, contact us for expert advice and service.