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SommNinja is a w**e educational platform for Sommeliers & W**e Lovers.
- 10,000+ questions.
- 4 levels of difficulty.
- 15 different topics

17/09/2026

🍷 W**e News | 5 new grapes for Rosé de Loire!

The Rosé de Loire AOP rules have changed, with five new grape varieties introduced as VIFA — Variétés d’Intérêt à Fin d’Adaptation:

🍇 Artaban N
🍇 Gascon N
🍇 Gouget N
🍇 Piquepoul Noir N
🍇 Vidoc N

They join the appellation’s traditional varieties: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris, Pineau d’Aunis and Pinot Noir.

But their use is strictly controlled.

🌱 VIFA may normally represent a maximum of 5% of an estate’s AOP vineyard area and up to 10% of the final blend.

There is an interesting exception for small producers: for estates claiming less than 3 hectares of Rosé de Loire AOP, VIFA may represent up to 20% of both the vineyard area and the blend.

There is also an environmental exception.

Artaban and Vidoc are disease-resistant varieties. When planted within 20 metres of certain inhabited or sensitive areas, such as homes, schools or hospitals, those plantings are not counted towards the normal VIFA vineyard limit — encouraging reduced phytosanitary treatments close to populated areas.

🏷️ And don’t look for these new grapes on the bottle: VIFA cannot be mentioned on the label.

One more change to remember: the complementary geographical denomination “Val de Loire” becomes “Vin de Loire.”

The appellation itself remains exclusively dedicated to still dry rosé w**es.

🥷 Stay sharp. Keep your w**e knowledge up to date with SommNinja.

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16/09/2026

🍷 W**e News | César enters Blagny!

Another change in Burgundy: the 2026 AOC Blagny regulations now allow César N alongside Pinot Noir — under strictly controlled experimental conditions.

🍇 Blagny remains a red-only appellation, with Pinot Noir as its principal grape variety. Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris remain permitted as accessory varieties.

But César N can now also be planted under convention, with strict limits:

🌱 Maximum 10% of the estate’s AOC vineyard area
🌱 Maximum 1 hectare per estate

The new rules also introduce another experiment: vineyards may be planted at densities as low as 5,000 vines/ha, compared with the standard minimum of 9,000 vines/ha.

🍷 And in the final w**e?

Grapes from César and/or these lower-density experimental vineyards may together account for a maximum of 15% of the blend.

So yes — a Burgundy appellation better known for Pinot Noir can now potentially include César.

🥷 Stay sharp. Keep your w**e knowledge up to date with SommNinja.

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14/09/2026

🍷 W**e News | New grapes for Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence!

The rules have changed for AOC Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, with a fascinating list of new grape varieties introduced as “variétés d’intérêt à fin d’adaptation” (VIFA).

🍇 For red & rosé w**es, the VIFA include:

Agiorgitiko 🇬🇷
Calabrese 🇮🇹
Xinomavro 🇬🇷
Moschofilero 🇬🇷
Verdejo 🇪🇸
Floréal
Souvignier Gris
Sauvignac

🤍 For white w**es:

Verdejo
Floréal
Souvignier Gris
Sauvignac
Moschofilero

Yes — that means varieties such as Xinomavro, Agiorgitiko and Calabrese can now form part of the Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence vineyard.

But experimentation remains tightly controlled.

The VIFA are generally limited to 5% of the AOC vineyard plantings, while they may represent up to 10% of the final blend.

🌱 There is also an interesting environmental exception: plantings of the disease-resistant varieties Floréal, Sauvignac and Souvignier Gris situated within 20 metres of certain sensitive areas such as homes, schools and hospitals are excluded from the calculation of the 5% VIFA limit. The aim is to help reduce phytosanitary inputs close to inhabited areas.

And another change worth remembering:

🤍 Vermentino is now the principal white grape, and must account for at least 50% of an estate’s white AOC plantings.

A great example of how French appellations are evolving to respond to climate and environmental challenges while preserving their identity.

🥷 Stay sharp. Keep your w**e knowledge up to date with SommNinja.

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07/09/2026

W**e News | Vinsobres goes white! 🤍

A major change for this Southern Rhône Cru: AOC Vinsobres can now officially produce white w**es, alongside its reds.

🍇 The principal varieties for Vinsobres Blanc are:

Clairette
Grenache Blanc
Marsanne
Roussanne
Viognier

The permitted accessory varieties are Bourboulenc, Clairette Rose, Grenache Gris, Piquepoul Blanc, Vermentino and Ugni Blanc.

The principal varieties must represent at least 75% of the vineyard plantings.

And there are a few numbers worth remembering:

🤍 Maximum yield for white: 40 hl/ha
❤️ Maximum yield for red: 38 hl/ha

White grapes must reach a minimum sugar level of 196 g/L, corresponding to a minimum natural potential alcohol of 12%.

📍 One thing hasn’t changed: the geographical area of the appellation remains restricted to the commune of Vinsobres in the Drôme.

Another Rhône Cru to add to your white w**e knowledge! 🥷

Did you know Vinsobres could now be white?

Stay sharp. Keep your w**e knowledge up to date with SommNinja.

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04/09/2026

W**e News | New grapes for Meursault AOP!

Meursault has updated its appellation rules —

🤍 For white Meursault
Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc remain the principal varieties, but three additional grapes can now be used under a specific convention:

🍇 Aligoté B
🍇 Melon B
🍇 Sacy B

❤️ For red Meursault
Pinot Noir remains the principal variety, while César N joins the permitted varieties, also under convention.

But don’t expect your Meursault to suddenly become a Sacy or Melon blend…

The four newly admitted varieties combined are limited to 10% of the vineyard area and a maximum of 1 hectare per estate. Their use requires a specific convention involving the INAO, ODG and relevant operators.

🌱 The new cahier des charges also introduces the possibility, again under convention, of planting at lower densities — as low as 5,000 vines/ha, compared with the general minimum of 9,000 vines/ha. These experimental plantings are also strictly limited.

In the final AOP w**e, grapes from these newly permitted varieties and/or conventionally planted lower-density vineyards may represent a maximum of 15% of the blend.

🥷 Stay sharp. Keep your w**e knowledge up to date with SommNinja.

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03/09/2026

🍷 W**e News | Muscat de Frontignan goes red!

A historic change for Muscat de Frontignan AOP: the appellation now officially allows red Vin Doux Naturel (VDN) and Vin de Liqueur (VDL) alongside its traditional white w**es.

🍇 The grapes:
🤍 White w**es remain exclusively Muscat à petits grains blancs B
❤️ The new red w**es must be exclusively Muscat à petits grains rouges Rg.

For both colours, the appellation may produce VDN or VDL. The key difference lies in the timing of mutage: VDN is muted during fermentation, while VDL is muted before any fermentation begins.

But here’s the interesting part: red Muscat isn’t actually new to Frontignan.

Historical records show that it has been grown in the area for centuries. When Thomas Jefferson visited Frontignan in 1787, he even noted the tiny production of red Muscat — and a few years later requested both white and red Frontignan w**es for himself and George Washington.

So, a new addition to the AOP… but really the revival of a historic w**e. 🍷

📍 The geographical area remains limited to Frontignan and Vic-la-Gardiole, in the Hérault.

🥷 Stay sharp. Keep your w**e knowledge up to date with SommNinja.

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01/09/2026

Meet SommNinja 🥷 🍷
Your w**e knowledge. Sharpened.
Test yourself, learn as you go and keep your knowledge up to date - wherever you are, whenever you have a few minutes.

From aspiring sommeliers to seasoned professionals, SommNinja is built for anyone who wants to keep learning and challenging themselves.

⛰️ 4 levels
❓over 10,000 questions
🌎 w**e questions from all around the world
📚Learn. Test. Improve

Ready to sharpen your w**e skills ?

**eeducation **estudy

01/09/2026

Meet SommNinja 🥷 🍷
Your w**e knowledge. Sharpened.
Test yourself, learn as you go and keep your knowledge up to date - wherever you are, whenever you have a few minutes.

From aspiring sommeliers to seasoned professionals, SommNinja is built for anyone who wants to keep learning and challenging themselves.

📏 4 levels
❓over 10,000 questions
🌎 w**e questions from all around the world
📚Learn. Test. Improve

Ready to sharpen your w**e skills ?

**eeducation **estudy

28/08/2026

🇫🇷🍇 W**E NEWS | Big changes for Mâcon AOC

The rules for Mâcon AOC have just been updated — and there are some important changes to add to your Burgundy study notes.

🍇 Mâcon Blanc is no longer Chardonnay-only

Chardonnay remains the principal grape, but the new rules allow:

• Chardonnay – minimum 90% of vineyard plantings
• Aligoté, Pinot Blanc & Pinot Gris – permitted accessory varieties
• Melon & Sacy – also permitted under specific experimental agreements

Accessory varieties can represent up to 10% of plantings.

In the final blend, accessory varieties may account for up to 15%, with Melon + Sacy limited to 10%.

🌡️ Why the change?

The introduction of Aligoté, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris is intended, in particular, to help the appellation adapt to climate change.

🌱 Lower planting density

Another significant change:

BEFORE ➡️ minimum 7,000 vines/ha
NOW ➡️ minimum 5,000 vines/ha

Maximum spacing between rows also increases from 1.80 m to 2.20 m.

🌿 New vineyard requirement

Where chemical w**d control is used, at least 20% of the area between rows must now have vegetation or other ground cover.

🪵 Oak chips

The previous general ban on the use of pieces of wood has also been relaxed.

For white w**es, the prohibition now applies specifically to Mâcon-Villages and Mâcon followed by a geographical denomination.

⚠️ EXAM ALERT

Perhaps the biggest fact to update in your notes:

❌ Mâcon Blanc = Chardonnay only
✅ Mâcon Blanc = minimum 90% Chardonnay in the vineyard, with permitted accessory varieties

A significant evolution for one of Burgundy’s best-known regional appellations.

📌 SAVE this post and update your Burgundy notes!

**eEducation **eStudy **estudent

28/08/2026

🍾🌸 W**E NEWS | Welcome, Asti Rosato DOCG! 🇮🇹

There’s a new pink sparkling w**e to add to your study notes!

The Asti DOCG regulations have been updated to officially include Asti Rosato / Rosé, bringing together two of Piemonte’s aromatic varieties:

🍇 70–90% Moscato Bianco
🍇 10–30% Brachetto

Two sparkling styles are permitted:

🥂 Asti Rosato / Rosé
Produced using the Martinotti/Charmat method, with fermentation and ageing lasting at least 1 month.

🍾 Asti Metodo Classico Rosato / Rosé
Second fermentation takes place in bottle, followed by at least 9 months ageing on the lees before disgorgement.

Both a can be produced across a wide range of sweetness levels, from pas dosé to sweet.

Minimum actual alcohol: 6% abv.

And one important distinction for your w**e exams: Moscato d’Asti is not affected by this change.

Asti DOCG has officially gone pink. 🌸🥂

Would you try it?

📌 SAVE this one for your w**e studies.

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