vinifera

[vahy-nif-er-uh, vi-]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or derived from a European grape, Vitis vinifera, widely cultivated for making wine and raisins and for table use.

noun

1. a vinifera grape.

Word History and Origins

Origin of vinifera¹

1895–1900; < New Latin, feminine of Latin vīnifer wine-producing. See vini-, -fer

Example Sentences

But according to Jones, it may be a mistake to write muscadine wines off as inferior to their vinifera counterparts.

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Centuries later, Spanish missionaries and conquistadors introduced European vinifera vines to the Americas, Dutch traders planted vineyards in South Africa, and British colonists brought vines to Australia and New Zealand.

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There are many species of grapevines, but only one, Vitis vinifera, supplies the wine that is recommended by a sommelier.

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Most of the famous European wine grapes — cultivars of Vitis vinifera like Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot — are too tender to be grown in Chicago-area gardens, as well as large swaths of the United States.

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In 1980, there were fewer than 20 wineries in Washington and much of Stimson Lane’s inventory included wines from fruit other than the classic vinifera grapes that had transformed California into a rising power.

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