Vitis Vinifera is the scientific name of the grape vine used to produce most of the wines of the world. It is native to central Europe and southwest Asia, where it was domesticated around 7,000 BC in what is nowadays Armenia, Georgia, Bulgaria and Romania. In comparison to other grape vines, the grapes it produces are smaller, sweeter, juicier, with thick skins and full of seeds. It grows better in an environment where the yearly seasons are clearly marked, with plenty of sun, mild winters, where rainfall is not excessive, and the soil is not too fertile. Vitis vinifera is also used to produce juice, raisins, and cosmetic products.
While there are approximately 10 thousand species of “vitis vinifera”, only about 1,2000 are commercialized. The most planted red varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Tempranillo. For the whites, Chardonnay, Airén, and Sauvignon Blanc occupy the most acreage. Many unusual grape varieties are planted around the world and are worth experiencing, including GrunerVeltliner, Trepat, and Albarossa just to name a few!
Author: Maytte Rivera
