Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
clone A cell or individual genetically identical to
another, and derived from one cell or individual
(plant or animal) without fertilization or by
asexual reproduction. All cells or individuals
born out of this process are completely identical
and indistinguishable, genetically, morphologi-
cally, and biochemically from the mother plant.
cultivar A cultivated grape variety; any variety
that is grown by human beings.
doc (denominazionde di origine control-
lata) A specifi c, limited grape growing and wine
production area in Italy. In order to make a DOC
wine it is not suffi cient to just grow grapes within
the boundaries of the government-identifi ed
geographic area, but also to abide by strict legal
requirements addressing grape varieties allowed
or not, maximum yields, vinifi cation methods,
minimum aging requirements, and more. Those
who grow grapes within a DOC but do not follow
the other guidelines (for example, a producer may
choose to use a Moscato variety that is not
included in the list of grape varieties allowed in
that DOC) may not call the resulting wines a
DOC wine.
docg (denominazione di origine controllata
e garantita) A step above DOC in Italy's
hierarchy of wines. In order for a wine to merit
DOCG status, all the requirements of the DOC
have to be met; in addition, DOCG wines
undergo two different tasting panel assessments
by government-named experts such as winemak-
ers and viticulturalists who determine that the
wine is true to type. Therefore the “guarantee”
in the DOCG name refers to this aspect of
conformity to expectations and not to the wine's
quality; in fact, there are many DOCG wines
made by growing grapes in the right place and by
following all the rules that are less than stellar in
quality because those who make them are not
particularly talented.
er Emilia-Romagna, one of Italy's twenty regions,
located in the central part of the country, just
above Tuscany. It is the home of the world-famous
Lambrusco varieties.
fvg Friuli Venezia Giulia, one of Italy's twenty
regions, located in the northeast corner of the
country, on the border with Austria, Slovenia, and
Croatia. Generally considered to be Italy's best
source of white wines made from native and local,
non-Germanic grape varieties.
gene A specifi c nucleotide sequence of the DNA
coding for protein or RNA production.
genotype The specifi c genetic material and
makeup of an individual.
germplasm The total number of genes and
cytoplasmic factors that govern heredity in
individuals and species.
grand cru A specifi c plot of high-quality land,
from which better than average wines are made.
When the quality of the vineyard spot is less
exceptional, it can be referred to as a premier cru
These terms were born in France, where the
classifi cation of wine and vineyard quality was
studied centuries ago.
grapevine fanleaf virus disease The oldest-
known virus disease of grapevines, and also one
of the most serious grapevine virus diseases
worldwide. The disease brings about deleterious
morphologic changes and has detrimental effects
on yield, grape quality, and longevity of
grapevines.
grape leafroll disease Grapevine disease
associated with at least ten different viruses
(named GLRaV-1 through GLRaV-10, based on
the order of their discovery). Affected grapevines
will be less vigorous, and will produce much less
than unaffected grapevines.
hectares Unit of land measurement used in
Europe. One hectare is equivalent to 2.47 acres.
homonyms Different varieties that have been
erroneously given the same name.
igt (indicazione geografica tipica) An
important category of wines in Italy that allows
producers a bit more freedom than the strict
DOC and DOCG requirements. An IGT wine
must be made using 85 percent grapes grown
within a specifi c area (areas that are always much
larger than those identifi ed as DOC or DOCG),
but the other 15 percent can come from just about
anywhere. The wine also has to smell and taste of
typical wines made in the area, but more leeway
is allowed with this category than in the others.
Some of Italy's best wines are IGTs. Interestingly,
in Valle d'Aosta, which is a bilingual Italian-
French region, the term IGT can be replaced
by the term Vin de Pays, while in the province
of Bolzano in Alto Adige, a bilingual Italian-
German area, the term Landweine can be used in
place of IGT.
intravarietal variability The condition by which
the same grape looks different in distinct areas
via adaptation to diverse selection pressures,
diverse environmental conditions, and viral
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