Family: Vitaceae
Species: Vitis vinifera L.
Common name: Table grape vine, Grape
Etymology
The genus name is derived from the Latin Vitis and víeo, meaning “to bind” or “to wrap”. The species name comes from vínum (wine) and féro (to bear), alluding to its grape clusters from which wine or other fermented beverages are produced.
Description
The natural habit of this plant is irregular, with sparse branching that is very extensively developed in length, sometimes spanning several metres. The stem, which is rather contorted and of variable length, is covered by a bark that peels off in strips. Its colour, greyish on one-year-old branches, becomes brown with age. Young branches in their herbaceous state are called shoots; once lignified, they are called canes. Support organs (tendrils) also appear, developing in a spiral and allowing the shoot to anchor to any type of support. In Vitis vinifera, the tendrils are branched and form discontinuously.
The leaves are palmate, deep green, with a lamina that is either entire or generally divided into three or five more or less deep lobes; the margin is irregularly toothed. Typically, the upper surface is rather glabrous, while the lower may be more or less tomentose, even to the point of being cottony. Depending on the variety, the leaves take on a yellow or reddish hue in autumn.
The flowers are arranged in panicle inflorescences, initially erect and then drooping. The individual flowers are primarily hermaphroditic but may become male or female due to the abortion or loss of function of the respective organs. The corolla is composed of five inconspicuous, greenish petals fused at the base; in hermaphroditic flowers, the anthers are arranged at the level of the stigma but face outwards. Consequently, the pollination of the vine tends to be predominantly cross-pollinated.
The fruit is a berry known as “acinus.” The color of the mature berry varies according to the variety, ranging from green to yellow, rosy to red-violet, and black or bluish-black. The intensity and tone of the colour can also vary depending on environmental conditions, particularly illumination. The shape of the berries is generally spherical, subspherical, elliptical, or ovoid. The berries are clustered together.
In general, an open cluster with sparsely distributed berries is referred to as “Spargo,” which is typical of table grapes, whereas a compact cluster with berries tightly pressed together is known as “Serrato,” which is representative of wine grapes.
Habitat
Native to Western Asia, it is now present on all continents except Antarctica.
Properties and Uses
It produces fresh grapes, wines, juices, marmalades, and dried wines (passiti). The vine leaves are also used in many cuisines to create special dishes.
Notes and Curiosities
The history of the vine spans over one hundred million years and has evolved into many species, most of which have not survived the prehistoric eras. The selection of cultivable varieties is the origin of viticulture and dates back about 10,000 years. This process began after the last glaciation in the so-called Fertile Crescent, that is, the area extending from the Caucasus to Egypt, later spreading to the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
With the discovery of America, the vine entered the New World, first in Mexico and subsequently, thanks to the conquistadors, also in South America.
There are many legends and historical tales associated with the vine. In Greece, the cult of Dionysus was the god of wine and intoxication. A modern Greek fable tells that one day, Dionysus descended from Olympus to visit a friend and sat by a stream to rest after a long walk. While looking around, he saw a lovely young shoot and gave it to his friend. He gathered it and covered it with a small bird's bone to protect its roots from the sun. However, as the plant grew visibly, the roots outgrew the bone in which they were encased, becoming exposed to the sun’s rays, which would soon dry them out. Concerned, Dionysus sought a more adequate cover and found one in a lion’s bone, which, placed over the first, would save the plant. Yet the roots continued to develop, so much so that the god even used an ass’s jawbone. Finally, he reached his friend and transplanted the young plant and the bones, which ended up buried underground. The plant grew with its broad leaves until, in early September, it offered its mature clusters, which the god squeezed to produce a reddish beverage: thus was born the wine that Dionysus bestowed upon mankind before returning to Olympus. Men began to drink it and, feeling so joyful, sang like little birds. They continued to drink, becoming as strong as lions. Unfortunately, they drank too much, and their brains dulled like those of donkeys. The moral of the story warns against abusing this precious fermented juice.
The vine is one of the oldest cultivated plants, favouring areas with mild climates and hot, dry summers. In the Heller Botanical Garden, it twines along an arched structure as one crosses the footbridge over the Malo Pond.