What does vinifera mean?
Vinifera denotes the common grapevine, Vitis vinifera, the species that includes most grapes used to make wine. In botany and viticulture, it identifies a species rather than a particular flavour, colour, or style of wine; in less formal wine writing, “a vinifera” may simply mean a grape belonging to that species. The word is especially useful when discussing vine ancestry, disease resistance, and the distinction between common European vines and American or hybrid vines. Vitis vinifera is also the source of numerous seedless table grapes, including Thompson Seedless. Although vinifera is sometimes treated as a synonym for wine grape, the relationship is not absolute: some wines are made from other Vitis species or from hybrids, and the term itself guarantees neither quality nor sweetness. In its clearest use, vinifera is a taxonomic and viticultural label for the common vine species whose influence is nearly universal in modern wine production.
nounThe common grapevine, Vitis vinifera, or a grape belonging to that species. This species includes most of the grape varieties used to produce wine, as well as many table grapes.
- The common grapevine, Vitis vinifera, or a grape belonging to that species.
"The estate grows several varieties of Vitis vinifera on sun-facing slopes."
"The estate grows Vitis vinifera vines on steep, sun-facing slopes."
"Pinot noir is a vinifera grape, as are most varieties traditionally used in Burgundy."
Used when referring to individual vines or grapes of the species; the specific epithet in Vitis vinifera does not change.
"These viniferas produce large, seedless table grapes."
Most of the world's wine grapes trace back to one remarkable species: Vitis vinifera.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of vinifera
The English word comes through New Latin from Latin vīnīfer, a masculine adjective meaning “wine-producing” or “wine-bearing,” with the feminine form vīnīfera used for the vine. Latin vīnīfer was formed from vīnum, meaning “wine,” and ferre, meaning “to carry” or “bear.” The same Latin root underlies words such as vintage, viniculture, vinification, and vinivorous, while the botanical expression Vitis vinifera preserves the Latin-derived specific epithet.
Related word forms
How vinifera is actually used
The term is primarily used in botanical, horticultural, and viticultural contexts. In formal scientific nomenclature it appears as the specific epithet in Vitis vinifera; informal wine writing also uses “a vinifera” to mean a grape or vine of that species.
Easily confused with vinifera
Viniferous is an adjective meaning wine-producing or grape-bearing, whereas vinifera is a noun naming the common grapevine or a grape of that species.