Is Chardonnay and Sauvignon allowed in Rioja ?

What do you think about ?
Jandir(from Brazil)
From Decanter magazine

Chardonnay and Sauvignon allowed in Rioja
January 16, 2007
John Radford

Rioja winemakers can now use Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo
in their white wines, the region’s wine body has decreed.

The OIPVR (Organización Interprofesional del Vino de Rioja) said the
grapes will be allowed from the 2007 vintage onwards, although none of
them may be made as varietals, or in as a major part of a blend.

Apart from the stipulation that the three noble varieties may not,
together or individually, make up more than 49% of the wine, there are
no other limits on the use of other permitted grapes.

The decision follows nearly two years of debate since the foundation
of the OIPVR, which was created to oversee marketing and regulation,
absorbing in the process the Consejo Regulador (CRDOCa), which remains
a policing authority.

One of the major sore points for winemakers in the region was the
paucity of grape varieties available for making white wines. There
were only three: Viura (Macabeo), Malvasía Riojana and the rare
Garnacha Blanc.

Some lobbyists had also been pushing for the inclusion of red
varietals Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah in the ruling. So far,
they remain unsuccessful.

However, several old vine varieties which died out in the first half
of the 20 century have been brought back. Maturana red, white and
parda (’brown’), Tempranillo blanco, Turruntés and Monastel de Rioja
are now permitted. Only the Maturana red and white have mature vines
at the moment, the rest are in nurseries.

Remarks of a reader :

Another step more to make the world of wine more globalised boring and
less personal.
Is there not enough Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc arount the world?
Is there not enough overproduction of wine?
Insted of searching for something different, improving their wines or
bringing back old fashion grapes, Rioja is just only capable of
copying what the New World it’s been doing for the last decade. Really
original!
Not very clever idea from Rioja Wine producers.

We are we going?
The wine future is a bit dark.
More strick regulations are needed after these last to decades of
scientist research in wine-growing and wine-making.
Some things shouldn’t be allowed.