The experiment is taking place at the Grinzane Cavour Collection, in the wine-rich Langhe area, on an estate once inhabited by 19th-century statesman and Risorgimento leader Count Camillo Benso di Cavour.

Some 500 varietals once typical of Piedmont, Val d'Aosta and Liguria have been planted to preserve this treasure trove of biodiversity, the National Research Council (CNR) said.

There is also the potential to see which varieties can teach us something about resistance to climate change.

ANSA