France's national library of grape varieties under threat, say protesters

(Decanter) - Plans in France to relocate a living library of 7,000 wine grape varieties, some dating back to 1876, have come under fire from protesters who fear some rare varietals may not survive the journey.

An online petition set up to prevent the move of the library, which holds wine grape varieties from 40 countries, had gained nearly 4,000 signatures by the end of Friday (29 November).

Protesters described the collection as 'the viticultural equivalent of the Louvre' - a reference to the renowned museum in Paris - and warned that a 'vital genetic resource' is under threat if the move goes ahead.

The Domaine de Vassal collection dates back to 1876, when the Phylloxera crisis led the University of Agriculture in Montpellier, southern France, to create a research library for French grapes.

It switched to its current location in 1949, and today covers 27 hectares, between Marseillan beach and the Thau Lake, just outside Montpellier.

Although final confirmation is still pending, it is due to be moved again from next year to the National Institute for Agronomic Research (INRA) site at Peche Rouge in Gruissan, near Narbonne.

Laurent Bruckler, president of INRA Montpellier, confirmed to decanter.com that the move is likely to go ahead, but will be spread out slowly over the next five to seven years. An official statement is due in the next few days.