Ampelography

Ampelography is the science of description and identification of grape cultivars from the genus Vitis.

The grape vine is an extremely variable species, and many varieties mutate very frequently. This accounts for some of the geographical diversity of wines made from them.

The science of ampelography began seriously in the 19th Century in order to help counter Phylloxera and other vine diseases , when it suddenly became important to understand more about the different species of vine, as they had very different resistances.

Many factors are involved in identifying vines, and it is a very difficult area, die to the extent of mutations: even the colour of the skins of the grape can change occasionally.