The grapes they are a-pickin

By Robert Mayne 

I am indebted to Ms Pia Akerman, daughter of the redoubted Piers Akerman (former editor of the Adelaide Advertiser and now conservative columnist on the Daily Telegraph Sydney) for the information that Italian grape varieties are taking off in Australia (26/1/08). She is quite right in reporting that varieties such as Nebbiolo, Tempranillo and Viognier are climbing the popularity stakes with our grapegrowers.Admittedly most are increasing from a small base. For example Viognier (one of my favourite whites) has grown in plantings by 1005 per cent in the Clare Valley in five years. But thats from just 2.2 hectares to 24.3 hectares. Varieties such as Petit…