Neb, Sangio and friends

Blame the Australian predilection for abbreviations for their use of Monti, Neb and Sangio (Montepulciano, Nebbiolo and Sangiovese, respectively). I cannot wait to see what they will come up with for Agiorgitiko (Agio?). But it is a good thing, because it can be taken it as sign that Italian varieties are becoming established in Australia.

Instrumental in their spread has been the Chalmers family, who, in their vine nursery in semi-desert Mildura, have planted and propagated more than 70 Italian varieties. To encourage their spread, they...