Grape variety

Grapes of the white wine variety Gutedel (Chasselas)

Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety

The type of plant from whose fruits wine is made is the noble grapevine ( Vitis vinifera ). Like most cultivated plants , it comes in different varieties , which are known as grape varieties in viticulture . Taste, structure and other properties of a wine such as shelf life and development potential depend on the grape variety, but they are also influenced by the location ( soil properties and climate ), the weather and the development of the vintner .

The grape variety is also called ampelography . It used to have to be limited to the detailed description of the individual varieties. Traditional descriptive features are the shoot tip (shape, hairiness ), the young leaf, the adult leaf ( leaf blade , petiole, perforation of the leaf margin, etc.), grape size and shape , berry size and shape and berry color. Today the ampelographers also deal with the clarification of the relationships between grape varieties on the basis of DNA analyzes .

Since about 5000 BC 8,000 to 10,000 grape varieties were created through breeding from wild vines. Of these, around 2,500 are approved for wine production in the various countries. Many are seldom grown today, and only a few hundred grape varieties are important, even less of national importance.

The individual grape varieties are recorded in a separate list of grape varieties .

Classification

Classification according to purpose

When it comes to grapes, a distinction is made between wine and table grapes and grapes for raisin production . There are also ornamental grapes that are not suitable for human consumption.

For winemaking, a distinction is made between red wine and white wine types . Each grape variety has characteristic aromas . That is why two wines, even if they were made in places thousands of kilometers apart, have a great deal in common, provided they are made from the same grape. Not all wines are based on only one type of grape, for example , red Bordeaux usually represents a blend of at least three. In addition, red grapes are not necessarily only used to make red wine, but also white wine, namely the Blanc de Noirs . With many red grape varieties, the pulp is not red, but the red color is only in the skin. Also rose wine comes from red grapes.

Classification according to the time of maturity

Whether a grape variety is suitable for a certain location essentially depends on the time of ripening. From today's perspective, the time of ripening is characterized by an optimal ratio of sugar to acid . Each grape variety can be assigned a minimum period between flowering and maturity. This time is relatively short for early-ripening varieties, and much longer for late-ripening varieties. Early-ripening varieties are used in growing areas to the north. However, these varieties would turn out to be completely inharmonious in southern cultivation areas, as although the sugar content is high enough with sufficient sunshine, other ingredients that are absorbed through the roots cannot be sufficiently enriched. Late-ripening varieties are used here.

Since the terms early and late ripening were used inconsistently in the growing areas, the French Victor Pulliat presented a uniform classification at the end of the 19th century . As a reference grape variety , he took the Gutedel, which ripened very early, and compared other grape varieties with this variety. The must weight was introduced as a yardstick . The basis was the collection of grape varieties as they were created at important scientific institutes. Pulliat chose a scale with five categories:

• The early ripening varieties ( French : cépages précoces ) ripen before the Gutedel.
• The varieties of the first ripening period (French: cépages de première époque ) ripen almost at the same time as the Gutedel, but no later than 10 to 12 days later. These include grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Gamay
• The varieties of the second ripening period (French: cépages de deuxième époque ) ripen for at least about 2 weeks, but no later than 20 to 22 days afterwards. These include grape varieties such as Chenin, Sauvignon, Sémillon, Riesling, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
• The varieties of the third ripening period (French: cépages de troisième époque ) ripen for at least 3 weeks, but no later than 30 to 35 days afterwards. These include grape varieties such as Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon.
• The varieties of the fourth ripening period (French: cépages de quatrième époque ) ripen at least about 4 weeks after the Gutedel.

Each individual period can sometimes be divided into three. In this case, for example, the first ripening period is referred to as the early, middle or late first ripening period. Since each individual ripening period is around a week long, the varieties can be classified in steps of 2 to 3 days.

Newer evaluation models were presented by the Americans Winkler and Amerine from the University of California at Davis. They looked at the heat sums of different growing areas and combined minimum heat sums with the possibility of growing certain grape varieties. According to Winkler, the total heat is the sum of the daily mean temperatures above 10 ° C.

Classification according to resistance

For organic viticulture and integrated viticulture, the division into fungus-resistant and insufficiently fungus-resistant varieties is important. However, this is always only a partial resistance. Since the 1960s u. a. the red wine varieties Regent and Cabernet Cortis as well as the white wine variety Johanniter specially bred for resistance to fungi. The abbreviation " PIWI " is sometimes used for such varieties, but they are also referred to as resistant varieties.

The resistance of these PIWI varieties is always only a higher resistance to an infection of a specific fungal disease and never to all known fungal diseases in the vine. Most often the PIWI varieties show a more or less higher resistance to downy mildew and oidium . The use of pesticides can therefore be reduced against these fungal diseases. With the use of these pesticides, other fungal diseases such as red burner and especially black rot of the vine are also recorded. If the use of these pesticides is reduced, the fungal diseases mentioned can increase. An advantage can therefore also become a disadvantage. These peculiarities are mostly known for the PIWI varieties. Recently, multi-resistant varieties have also been bred.

Other fungus-resistant grape varieties that were cultivated in Rhineland-Palatinate in 2011 on a total of 1768 hectares (= 2.8% of the planted vineyards) are Phoenix , Cabernet Blanc , Solaris , Saphira , Pinotin , Cabernet Cortis , Cabertin , Orion , Muscaris , Prinzipal , Staufer , Helois , Bronner , Bolero , Sirius , Villaris , Prior and Souvignier gris .

Classification according to relationship

Since DNA analysis has become possible, grape varieties can also be grouped according to their genetic relationship.

Family tree of grapevines

Grape variety mirror

A grape variety index is the listing of all cultivated grape varieties of a wine-growing country, a wine-growing region or a winery , whereby the vineyards for the individual varieties are usually given.

Ranking list of grapevines (status: 2000)

The following ranking refers to the global viticulture. The worldwide wine-growing area is (as of 2000) about 7.9 million hectares, which corresponds to 79,000 km². Almost 5 million hectares (50,000 km²) of this are in Europe.

It is difficult to rank the most cultivated grape varieties. The figures are based on statistics from different years and were collected using different methods. For example, some varieties are grouped together in some countries and not in others. Individual varieties are also promoted or withdrawn based on preferences or legal requirements. For this reason, caution should be exercised when making such a comparison and it is not possible to create an unreservedly valid list.

Legend

• Use: Use as WW = white wine variety, RW = red wine variety. The lines in the table are highlighted accordingly.
• Synonyms: Selection of synonyms for the most common name.
• Main growing countries : the countries with the largest vineyards.
• Year: year of data collection.

Area (ha)	Grape variety	image	Use	Synonyms	Main growing countries	year
440,000	Sultana		WW	Thompson Seedless, İzmir üzümü	Turkey, USA, Iran, Greece, Afghanistan, Chile, Australia, Syria, South Africa, China, Iraq, India, Eastern Europe, Algeria	?
308,000	Airén		WW	Lairén, Aidé, Valdepeñas, Manchega	Spain, Morocco	2005
250,000	Carignan		RW	Cariñena, Mazuela	France, Spain	1999
240,000	Grenache noir		RW	Garnacha tinta, Cannonau	Spain, USA, Argentina, France, Italy, Algeria, Morocco, Turkey	1999
223.200	Trebbiano + variations		WW	Ugni Blanc	France, Italy	1999
200,000	Merlot		RW	Merlot noir	France, Italy, Switzerland, Chile	2004
200,000	Cabernet Sauvignon		RW	Bordeaux, Sauvignon Rouge	France, Italy, Chile, Switzerland	2004
175,000	Chardonnay		WW	Arnoison, Beaunois	France, USA, Germany, Chile, Austria, Hungary	2000
130,000	Syrah		RW	Shiraz, Hermitage	France, Spain, Switzerland, Australia, South Africa, Chile	2002
125,000	Tempranillo		RW	Tinta Roriz, Cencibel, Aragonés, Tinta del Pais, Tinta de Toro, Ull de Llebre	Spain, Portugal	2005
120,000	Regina		WW	Regina Bianca, Dattier de Beyrouth	Italy, Turkey	2000
96,000	Sangiovese		RW	Brunello, Nielluccio	Italy, France	1999
92,630	Bobal		RW	Bobos, Espagnol	Spain	2000
85,000	Monastrell + Mourvèdre		RW	Moristel, Mataro	Spain, France	1999
70,000	Isabella		RW	Frutilla, Odessa	Brazil, Georgia	?
60,000	Catarratto bianco comune		WW	-	Italy	?
60,000	Pinot noir		RW	Spätburgunder, Blauer Burgunder, of which clone : Velvet red (230 ha)	France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria	1999
60,000	Riesling		WW	Rhine Riesling, Petit Rhin	Germany, France, Australia, Austria	1999
54,000	Chenin blanc		WW	Pineau de la Loire, Steen	South Africa, France	1999
52,000	País		RW	Misión, mission	Chile, Mexico	1999
51,700	Pardillo		WW	Cayatano, Pardilla	Spain	2000
50,000	Muscat Alexandria		WW	Muscat d'Alexandrie, Zibibbo	Morocco, Australia	1999
47,000	Macabeo		WW	Maccabeu, Viura	Spain, France	1999
45,000	Cinsault		RW	Cinsaut, Otavianello	France, Italy	?
45,000	Muscat blanc à petits grains		WW	Yellow muscatel, Moscato bianco	France, Bulgaria	1999
45,000	Sauvignon blanc		WW	Blanc fumé, fumé blanc	France, Switzerland, Chile	1998
45,000	Rivaner		WW	Müller-Thurgau (also Riesling x Silvaner in Switzerland)	Germany, Austria, Switzerland	1999
44,000	Cabernet franc		RW	Bouchet, Cabernet Frank	France, Italy	?
40,000	Rkatsiteli		WW	Rkaziteli, Baiyu	Georgia, China	1999
40,000	Gamay		RW	Gamay noir à jus blanc, Bourguignon noir	France, Switzerland	?
38,000	Cereza		RW	Cereza italiana	Argentina	?
35,000	Criolla grande		RW	Criolla, Criolla Sanjuanina	Argentina	?
35,000	Welschriesling		WW	Riesling italico, Olaszrizling	Romania, Austria, Hungary	1999
35,000	Palomino		WW	Listán blanco, Perrum	Spain, Mexico	1999
35,000	Gutedel		WW	Chasselas, Fendant , Gelber Moster, Chaslie	Romania, Hungary, Germany, Switzerland	1999
34,000	Semillon		WW	Green Grape, Hunter River Riesling	France, Switzerland, Chile	?
30,000	Kadarka		RW	Blue Hungarian, Gamza	Hungary, Serbia	1999
30,000	Alicante Bouschet		RW	Alicante-Henri_Bouschet, Alicante nero	France, Algeria	1999
30,000	Concord		RW	Dalmadin, Furmin noir	USA, Canada	2000
29,600	Colombard		WW	French Colombard, Colombar	USA, South Africa	2002
28,000	Cardinal		RW	Apostoliatiko, Rannii Carabournu	Spain, Romania	2000
25,000	Zinfandel		RW	Primitivo	USA, Mexico, Italy	2002
23,600	Fernão Pires		WW	Maria Gomes, Gaeiro	Portugal, South Africa	1999
23,000	Aligoté		WW	Alligotay, Blanc de Troyes	France, Switzerland	1999
21,000	Pedro Ximénez		WW	PX, Pedro Jimenez	Spain, Australia	2000
20,500	Pedro Giménez		WW	-	Argentina	2000
20,000	Muscat de Hamburg		WW	Muscat Hamburg, Black Hamburg	France, Greece	1999
34,000	Malbec		RW	Pressac, Côt noir	Argentina, France, Chile	2008
17,500	Green Valtellina		WW	GV, Weißgipfler	Austria, Hungary	2002
17,000	Pinot Blanc		WW	Pinot blanc, White Klevener	Italy, Germany, Austria	?
15,000	Catarratto bianco lucido		WW	-	Italy	?
15,000	Pinot Gris		WW	Pinot gris, Pinot grigio, Ruländer	Germany, Romania, Italy	?
15,000	Aramon noir		RW	Piss-Vin, Ugni noir	France, Algeria	1999
15,000	Black Riesling		RW	Miller's vine, Pinot Meunier	France, Germany	1999
15,000	Blue Portuguese		RW	Portugalské Modré, Oporto Kék	Germany, Hungary, Austria	1999
15,000	Negroamaro		RW	Negro Amaro	Italy	2005
13,050	Garganega		WW	Garganega Bianca, Garganega Biforcuta	Italy	1998
13,000	Melon de Bourgogne		WW	Melon, Muscadet	France, USA	1999
12,000	Silvaner		WW	Gamay Blanc, fly grape	Germany, France, Austria	1999
11,400	Nero d'Avola		RW	Alabrese, Calabrese nero	Italy	2005
11,300	Mencia		RW	Jaén du Dão, Loureiro	Spain, Portugal	?
10,711	Chelva		WW	Gabriela, Guarena, Mantuo	Spain	2000
10,700	Cayetana blanca		WW	Cayetana, Calegrano	Spain	?
10,400	Parellada		WW	-	Spain	2000
10,000	Xarel lo		WW	Xarello, Jaén Blanco	Spain, Portugal	1999
8,667	Nuragus		WW	Abbondosa, Granazza	Italy (Sardinia)	1999
8,000	Gewürztraminer		WW	Traminer, Roter Traminer, Gelber Traminer	France, USA, Germany, Italy (South Tyrol), Austria	1998
6,500	Ruby Cabernet		RW		Argentina, USA, Chile, South Africa, Australia	2007
6,000	Nebbiolo		RW	Spanna, Chiavennasca	Italy	2005
1,100	Neuburger		WW	-	Austria	2006
1,100	Vernatsch		RW	Schiava, Trollinger	Italy (South Tyrol), Germany (Württemberg)	2013

Ranking list of vineyards for various uses (as of 2015)

A grape variety survey by the OIV in 2015 resulted in the following information. For the Kyoho variety, the figures from China were estimated on the basis of press releases. 13 varieties represent approx. 33% of the world wine stock and 33 grape varieties 50% of the vineyard area.

Areas of the most common grape varieties worldwide

	Vineyards in 1000 (ha)	use
Kyoho	365	Table grape
Cabernet Sauvignon	340	Wine
Sultanina	300	Table grape, raisins and wine
Merlot	266	Wine
Tempranillo	231	Wine
Airén	218	Wine, brandy
Chardonnay	211	Wine
Syrah	190	Wine
Grenache Noir	163	Wine
Red Globe	160	Table grape
Sauvignon Blanc	121	Wine
Pinot noir	115	Wine
Trebbiano	111	Wine, brandy

See also

• Viticulture
• History of viticulture

literature

• Karl Bauer, Ferdinand Regner , Barbara Schildberger: Viticulture. 9th edition. avBook published by Cadmos Verlag, Vienna 2013, ISBN 978-3-7040-2284-4 .
• Hans Ambrosi , Bernd HE Hill, Erika Maul, First H. Rühl, Joachim Schmid, Fritz Schuhmann: Color Atlas of Grape Varieties. 3. Edition. Eugen Ulmer, 2011, ISBN 978-3-8001-5957-4 .
• Janina Maurer, Hartmut Keil: 100 rare grape varieties in Rheinhessen and the Palatinate. Inkfaß edition, Neckarsteinach 2008, ISBN 978-3-937467-56-6 .
• Jancis Robinson : The Oxford Wine Lexicon. 3. Edition. Hallwag, 2007, ISBN 978-3-8338-0691-9 .
• Dagmar Ehrlich : The ABC of grape varieties. Vines and their wines. Gräfe & Unzer, 2005, ISBN 3-7742-6960-2 .
• Walter Hillebrand, Heinz Lott, Franz Pfaff: Paperback of the grape varieties. 13th, revised edition. Fraund, Mainz 2002, ISBN 3-921156-53-X .
• Jancis Robinson: grape varieties and their wines. Hallwag Verlag, Bern / Stuttgart 1996, ISBN 3-444-10497-9 .

Web links

Wiktionary: grape variety  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Commons : Grape varieties  - collection of images, videos and audio files

• Bavarian State Institute for Viticulture and Horticulture: Important grape varieties
• Small article about grape varieties
• Compilation of all grape varieties in the canton of St. Gallen (CH)
• 300 grape varieties, e.g. Sometimes only in Dutch
• Red wine varieties
• German Wine Institute

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Duden online: Ampelography
2. ↑ Into the climate change with “PIWI grape varieties” , weinbau-oenologie.de
3. ^ Christian von Burg: Innovative winemakers: Cheers without pesticides. In: srf.ch . November 22, 2018. Retrieved November 22, 2018 . 
4. ↑ Definition of the grape variety level at wein-plus.eu
5. ↑ The figures for Carignan without Eastern Europe and Asia amount to 191,000 ha. With Eastern Europe and Asia the area increases up to 250,000 ha. In France alone there are 100,000 ha (in 2000). Depending on the statistics, either Carignan or Grenache noir are in third or fourth place in the table.
6. ↑ For the Regina grape variety, the area data vary between 120,000 and 150,000 hectares.
7. ↑ In 1998 DNA analyzes found that Monastrell is identical to Moristel, but not to Mourvèdre, as was long assumed. However, the statistics often only show the varieties together. However, Mourvèdre's share should be very small.
8. ↑ In the case of Rkaziteli, some statistics assume a far greater distribution. In view of the decline in vineyards in the CIS, this seems unlikely.
9. ↑ ^{a b} Pedro Ximénez and Pedro Giménez are usually listed as one species in the statistics. It is likely that they are identical, but Argentine ampelographers deny that they are identical.
10. ↑ OIC Focus 2017 Vine Varieties Distribution In The World