Ampelography
Ampelography (from the Greek ampelos, “vine”, and graphein, “to write”) is the field of botany devoted to the identification and classification of grape varieties. It is a foundational discipline within viticulture, providing the means to distinguish among the thousands of cultivated and wild grapevines used in winemaking.[1]
Background
Ampelography developed as a scientific discipline in Europe during the 19th century, when the spread of phylloxera and the expansion of international viticulture created an urgent need to catalogue and correctly identify grape varieties.[2] Early ampelographers relied on visual observation of vine and berry morphology, such as the shape of leaves, the density of hairs on shoots, and the colour and form of grapes.
In the 20th century, the French viticulturist Pierre Galet became a leading figure in the systematisation of ampelography, publishing detailed identification keys that are still widely referenced.[3]
Characteristics and Methods
Traditional ampelographic study is based on careful description of vine organs, including:
- Leaf size, shape, lobes, and venation.
- Shoot tip colour and hair density.
- Bunch size, compactness, and berry form.
- Seasonal growth patterns and ripening times.
These descriptors remain part of the standardised vocabulary promoted by the OIV for grapevine identification.[4]
Since the late 20th century, DNA profiling has transformed ampelography, enabling precise genetic identification of varieties and clarification of historical confusions. Molecular methods have revealed synonymy (different names for the same variety) and homonymy (different varieties sharing the same name), greatly refining the global catalogue of vines.[5]
Importance in Viticulture
Ampelography ensures accurate identification of varieties, which is critical for vineyard management, legal regulation of appellations, and the preservation of genetic diversity. Misidentification can have commercial, legal, and cultural consequences, particularly in regions with strict classification systems.[6]
The discipline also contributes to the conservation of rare and historic grape varieties, helping to safeguard them against extinction in the face of global standardisation. International databases such as the VIVC continue this work, linking classical ampelographic descriptions with modern genetic data.
See also
References
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015.
- ↑ Galet, Précis d’ampélographie pratique, 2nd ed., 2000.
- ↑ Robinson, Harding & Vouillamoz, Wine Grapes, HarperCollins, 2012.
- ↑ OIV, “Ampelography & grape variety descriptors”, oiv.int.
- ↑ Vitis International Variety Catalogue (VIVC), “Database & methods”, vivc.de.
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015.