(Decanter) - Italy's Franciacorta producers are hoping that an indigenous grape variety rejected as inferior several hundred years ago can be used in their sparkling wines as a new 'ally' against climate change. Aldo Fiordelli introduces Erbamat below.

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.