Greek City Times reports that Australian growers are increasingly experimenting with Xynisteri, an ancient Cypriot white grape, as drought, extreme temperatures and higher irrigation costs put pressure on conventional varieties. Riverland grower Yianni Koutouzis says Xynisteri has cut his water use by about 75% compared with Shiraz and Chardonnay, while the thick-skinned grape has also performed well during temperatures approaching 49°C. Commercial trials are expanding in the Riverland and Barossa Valley as producers search for varieties capable of coping with climate change and Australia’s difficult grape-price environment.