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Vitis ( grapevine) is a genus of about 80 species of twining plants in the family Vitaceae. The genus consists of species predominantly from the Northern Hemisphere. It is economically important as the source of grapes, both for direct consumption of the fruit and for fermentation to produce wine. The study and cultivation of grapevines is called viticulture.
Most cultivated Vitis varieties are wind-pollinated with hermaphroditic flowers containing both male and female reproductive structures, while wild species are dioecious. These flowers are grouped in bunches called . In many species, such as Vitis vinifera, each successfully pollinated flower becomes a grape berry with the inflorescence turning into a cluster of grapes. While the flowers of the grapevines are usually very small, the berries are often large and brightly colored with sweet flavors that attract birds and other animals to disperse the seeds contained within the berries.Wine & Spirits Education Trust "Wine and Spirits: Understanding Wine Quality" pgs 2-5, Second Revised Edition (2012), London,
Grapevines usually only produce fruit on shoots that came from buds that were developed during the previous growing season. In viticulture, this is one of the principles behind pruning the previous year's growth (or "One year old wood") that includes shoots that have turned hard and woody during the winter (after harvest in commercial viticulture). These vines will be pruned either into a cane which will support 8 to 15 buds or to a smaller spur which holds 2 to 3 buds.
Other parts of the vine include the which are leaf-opposed, branched in Vitis vinifera, and support the climbing plant by twining around surrounding structures such as branches or the trellising of a vine-training system.
The genus Vitis is divided into two subgenera, Euvitis Planch. have 38 chromosomes (n=19) with berries borne on clusters and Muscadinia Planch. 40 (n=20) with small clusters.
Wild grapes can resemble the single-seeded Menispermum canadense (moonseed), which is toxic. (2026). 9781602396920, Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN 9781602396920
Their growth makes leaf collection challenging and polymorphic leaves make identification of species difficult. Mature grapevines can grow up to in diameter and reach the upper canopy of trees more than tall.
Many species are sufficiently closely related to allow easy interbreeding and the resultant interspecific hybrids are invariably fertile and vigorous. Thus the concept of a species is less well defined and more likely represents the identification of different ecotypes of Vitis that have evolved in distinct geographical and environmental circumstances.
The exact number of species is not certain. Plants of the World Online states 80 species and three hybrids are accepted. More than 65 species in Asia are poorly defined. Approximately 25 species are known in North America, and these were studied extensively in the late 1800s by German-American botanist George Engelmann. By contrast, just one, V. vinifera has origins.
, Plants of the World Online accepts the following 83 species:
There are many cultivars of grapevines; most are cultivars of V. vinifera, including Vitis 'Ornamental Grape'.
Hybrid grapes also exist, and these are primarily crosses between V. vinifera and one or more of V. labrusca, V. riparia or V. aestivalis. Hybrids tend to be less susceptible to frost and disease (notably phylloxera), but wine from some hybrids may have a little of the characteristic "foxy" taste of V. labrusca.
The Latin word Vitis is feminine, and therefore adjectival species names take feminine forms, such as V. vinifera. Article 23.5
The black vine weevil is another root pest.
Grapevines are used as food plants by the of some Lepidoptera species.
The following list of top wine-producers shows the corresponding areas dedicated to grapes (regardless of the grapes' final destination):
The following varieties have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-
The leaves of several species of grapevine are edible and are used in the production of dolmades and Vietnamese lot leaf.
The grapevine has a prominent place in Jewish prayer: the wine was given a special blessing, "creator of the fruit of the vine", and the Kiddush blessing is recited over wine or grape juice on Shabbat and . It is also employed in various parables and sayings in rabbinic literature. According to Josephus and the Mishnah, a golden vine was hung over the inner chamber of the Second Temple. The grapevine is featured on Hasmonean and Bar Kokhba revolt coinage, and as a decoration in mosaic floors of ancient synagogues.
The vine and wheat ear have been frequently used as symbol of the blood and flesh of Christ, hence figuring as symbols (bread and wine) of the Eucharist and are found depicted on Ostensory. Often the symbolic vine laden with grapes is found in ecclesiastical decorations with animals biting at the grapes. At times, the vine is used as symbol of temporal blessing.
Ecology
Phylloxera is an American root aphid that devastated V. vinifera vineyards in Europe when accidentally introduced in the late 19th century. Attempts were made to breed in resistance from American species, but many winemakers and customers did not like the unusual flavour profile of the hybrid grape. However, V. vinifera grafts readily onto rootstocks of the American species and their hybrids with V. vinifera, and most commercial production of grapes now relies on such grafts.
Commercial distribution
According to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 75,866 square kilometres of the world is dedicated to grapes. Approximately 71% of world grape production is used for wine, 27% as fresh fruit, and 2% as dried fruit. A portion of grape production goes to producing grape juice to be used as a sweetener for fruits canned "with no added sugar" and "100% natural". The area dedicated to vineyards is increasing by about 2% per year.
Domestic cultivation
Grapevines are widely cultivated by gardeners, and numerous suppliers cater specifically for this trade. The plants are valued for their decorative foliage, often colouring brightly in autumn; their ability to clothe walls, pergolas and arches, thus providing shade; and their fruits, which may be eaten as dessert or provide the basis for homemade wines. Popular varieties include:-
Uses
The fruit of several Vitis species are grown commercially for consumption as fresh grapes and for fermentation into wine. Vitis vinifera is the most important such species.
Culture
Ancient Greece
The grapevine (typically Vitis vinifera) has been used as a symbol since ancient times. In Greek mythology, Dionysus (called Bacchus by the Ancient Romans) was god of the vintage and, therefore, a grapevine with bunches of the fruit are among his attributes. His attendants at the festivals hence had the vine as an attribute, together with the thyrsus, the latter often entwined with vine branches. For the same reason, the Greek wine cup (cantharos) is commonly decorated with the vine and grapes, wine being drunk as a libation to the god.
Ancient Israel and Judaism
The grapevine has held profound symbolic significance in Jewish tradition and culture since antiquity.Wulkan, Reba, "The Grape and the Vine: A Motif in Contemporary Jewish Textiles" (1998). Textile Society of America Symposium Proceedings. 217. It is referenced 55 times in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), along with grapes and wine, which are also frequently mentioned (55 and 19, respectively). It is regarded as one of the Seven Species the land of Israel was blessed with, and is employed several times in the Bible as a symbol of the Israelites as the chosen people., |200x200px]]Along with the fig tree, the grapevine appears in biblical passages as a symbol of peace, stability, and prosperity. During the reign of Solomon, a golden age of Israelite unity and security is captured in the phrase: "And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree".1 Kings 4:25 This imagery reappears in prophetic visions of future peace, such as in the Book of Micah, where the prophet declares: "But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and none shall make them afraid."Micah 4:4 The Jeremiah uses vineyard imagery to represent both exile and restoration. In one instance, Judah's removal from the land is likened to the gleaning of a vine.Jeremiah 6:9 In contrast, a later vision of Jeremiah offers hope, with the promise of renewed life in the land: "Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant, and shall enjoy the fruit".Jeremiah 31:5
Christianity
In Christian iconography, the vine also frequently appears. It is mentioned several times in the New Testament. We have the parable of the kingdom of heaven likened to the father starting to engage laborers for his vineyard. The vine is used as symbol of Jesus Christ based on his own statement, "I am the true vine (John 15:1)." In that sense, a vine is placed as sole symbol on the tomb of Constantia, the sister of Constantine the Great, and elsewhere. In Byzantine art, the vine and grapes figure in early mosaics, and on the throne of Maximianus of Ravenna it is used as a decoration.
Mandaeism
In Mandaeism, (angels or celestial beings) are often described as personified grapevines ().
See also
Notes
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