Could this Swiss grape be the future of English still reds?

Published 2024년 5월 14일

Tridge summary

A red grape variety called Divico, developed in Switzerland, is gaining attention in England for its potential to thrive in the region's climate and produce full-bodied red wines. Created as a hybrid of Gamaret and Bronner in the late 1990s, Divico is currently planted on about 74 hectares in Switzerland, with some also recently planted in England. The grape is disease and frost resistant, and while it has challenges with fruit fly and pheasants, it has shown promise in initial harvests. Yotes Court in Kent has released a wine, The Favourite, made from Divico grapes, and other English vineyards are showing interest in the variety. Despite its advantages, Divico faces challenges in the market due to its newness and the preference for traditional and familiar varieties.

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Original content

While England has become a second home for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, a red variety developed in Switzerland might be a “game changer” for viticulturists, according to one producer. Called Divico, the grape was created in the late 1990s as a hybrid of Gamaret and Bronner. Today, about 74 hectares of Switzerland’s vineyard area is planted with it, according to Swiss Wine, about a 50th of the area of the country planted under Pinot Noir – but big things have small beginnings. Divico takes its name from a Celtic chieftain from what is now Switzerland who fought Julius Caesar, and, fittingly, it has ended up in another Celtic outpost, one that Caesar failed to conquer – Britannia. Susannah Ricci, owner of Yotes Court in Kent, told the drinks business about the winery’s first encounter with Divico. “Tony Purdie, Vineyard Manager at Yotes Court Vineyard first heard of Divico in 2018. A consortium of UK grape growers had funded some research at the crop science organisation the National ...

Source: Thedrinkbusiness