vinifera

noun vi·nif·era \ vī-ˈni-f(ə-)rə \

Definition of vinifera

plural vinifera or viniferas

: a common European grape (Vitis vinifera) that is the chief source of Old World wine and table grape varieties

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vinifera

adjective

Recent Examples of vinifera from the Web

In the vitis vinifera species of grapes that makes all of the world’s best wine.

— gar joseph, Philly.com, "Cheap Buzz: The Genetics of Wine Color," 18 Oct. 2017
Several varieties of vitis vinifera - Merlot, Syrah, Riesling - have fallen out of fashion with the public and are frequently bottled under proprietary names.

— noelle crombie, OregonLive.com, "Portland tactical officers arrest suspect in Hillsboro shooting," 18 Aug. 2017
European settlers continued to plant vinifera throughout the nineteenth century.

— chateau ste. michelle, The Seattle Times, "How Washington became a major player in the wine industry," 2 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vinifera.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of vinifera

New Latin, from Latin vinifer wine-producing, from vinum wine

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First Known Use: 1888

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Definition of vinifera

vinifera

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vinifera

Definition of vinifera

vinifera

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