How many grape varieties does Italy have? 600? 800? 1,400? The Oxford Companion even estimates an impressive 2,000 different varieties [in the forthcoming Wine Grapes we examine almost 400 whose wines are in commercial circulation, and you may also like to see this thread on our forum – JR]. Whatever the exact number, it is about to be increased by some 80 more. That is, if Professor Attilio Scienza has his way.
Over the years Scienza, professor of viticulture at the University of Milan, has become Assovini Sicilia's personal mascot. Assovini Sicilia, as the name indicates, is an association which...