Italian wine would benefit from an authority in viticulture like Bordeaux University's, a winemaking consultant has said.

In an interview with the Indian Wine Academy, Carlo Ferrini said the great strides made by Italian wines in recent decades have been largely due to an increase in research, but that the country lacks a centralised institution for this.

Italy is the most complex wine-producing country, the publication noted, with 350 registered indigenous grape varieties and 20 regions.

This diversity has proven a unique selling point, supported by a number of influential wine journalists, but the issue of indigenous wines versus international alternatives remains contentious.

"Indigenous wines are important, but our top wines other than Brunello and Barolo are Bordeaux blends, such as Ornellaia, San Leonardo and Sassicaia," added Mr Ferrini.

As another example of the crossover between France and Italy, Bordeaux-born Thomas Duroux, who originally served as head winemaker at Ornellaia, currently makes his wines for chateau Palmer.