ampelography

Ampelography is the branch of botany and viticulture devoted to the identification and classification of grapevines, particularly cultivated Vitis vinifera and related species, through the study of morphological characteristics. Traditional ampelography relies on features such as leaf shape and arrangement, blade lobing, vein patterns, petioles and stipules, tendril form, grape cluster structure, berry color and size, and growth habit. These traits are compared with reference descriptions and herbarium specimens to distinguish cultivars, map varieties, and verify plant material used in nurseries and breeding programs.

The practice arose in the 18th and 19th centuries as winegrowing spread and the diversity of grape varieties increased. A foundational work of ampelography was the Traité d'Ampélographie by Pierre Viala and Victor Vermorel, published around the turn of the 20th century, which organized grape identifiers and became a standard reference for several decades. The field has since evolved in response to breeding, quarantine, and viticultural research needs, with regional manuals and national ampelographic collections.

With the advent of molecular genetics, ampelography has integrated DNA-based methods. Morphological identification remains valuable but is supplemented by DNA fingerprinting using simple sequence repeats (SSR) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers to confirm variety identity, detect synonyms and homonyms, and trace parentage and clonal lineages. Modern ampelography therefore combines traditional field observations with genetic analysis to support germplasm conservation, cultivar registration, and breeding decisions.

Limitations include environmental influence on morphology, phenotypic plasticity, and the existence of many locally named varieties with overlapping traits. Despite these challenges, ampelography remains a core tool in viticulture, amassing knowledge about grape biodiversity and helping manage vineyard resources and wine authenticity.