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autochthonous

autoctono (I)
autochtone (F)
autóctono (ES)
autóctone (PO)

The Latin/Greek term (autós = self, chthón = earth) means "long-established, indigenous, native to the soil" and, in relation to geology and biology, "originating or occurring at the site of discovery" (the opposite is allochthonous, meaning originating elsewhere - not native to the site of discovery). A related term is "endemic" (endemie), which means "occurring locally" or "common in a particular area" (but not necessarily originating there). The term "autochthonous", often used in describing grape varieties, means in a narrower sense that the vine is almost exclusively or predominantly traditionally cultivated in a particular area, where it also originated or at least has a relatively long history and has acquired a certain cultural significance.

A variety is thus also considered autochthonous if it has been established for a very long time, even if it did not originate in the region in question. Many of these aspects apply to the so-called landraces. In a broader sense, older new varieties can also be considered autochthonous grape varieties. However, many grape varieties have been spread all over the world, so that their origin can often no longer be determined. Therefore, today a variety can be more dominant outside its region of origin than in the region where it originated autochthonously. The varieties Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Merlot and Pinot Noir are autochthonous to certain regions of France, but are now cultivated worldwide.

autochthonous varieties

Typical Austrian autochthonous varieties that are still important in terms of quantity are Blauer Portugieser, Neuburger, Rotgipfler, St. Laur ent, Veltliner (the group), Welschriesling, Zierfandler, and Zweigelt. Traminer is shared, so to speak, with Germany and Alsace. In Germany, it includes Elbling, Fütterer, Tauberschwarz and Silvaner. Some sources also mention Riesling, although this variety is cultivated worldwide. In terms of its probable ancestry, history and cultural significance, it is definitely one of them. The Swiss Valais is home to a particularly large number of such varieties, such as Amigne, Cornalin, Eyholzer, Himbertscha, Lafnetscha, Plantscher and Rèze. Likewise, there are numerous autochthonous vines in Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania and Spain.

autochthonous and/or endemic

Strictly speaking, the current frequency of a grape variety in cultivation says nothing about whether or not it can be considered autochthonous in the region of cultivation. However, if a rare grape variety only exists endemically (indigenously) to this day, i.e. only on certain islands or island groups, mountains, in individual valleys or water systems, such as on the islands of Sardinia or Corsica, and nowhere else, it can be assumed with a fair degree of certainty that it also originated autochthonously there. In the case of old grape varieties that have become widespread in the course of their history, local and regional clones could develop through mutations, which are then considered autochthonous for the respective cultivation areas.

One of the examples is the Shiraz variety in Australia, which, although it does not differ from the French Syrah when comparing DNA profiles (and the two are therefore considered to be the same grape variety), does have some minimal morphological differences. Another example is the variety Tribidrag, originating from Croatia, which has developed differently under Primitivo in Italy and under Zinfandel in the USA. In summary, however, there are no scientifically recognised criteria for clearly defining the term autochthonous, because for many grape varieties there is also no clear knowledge about the origin. On this topic, see also Old growths and landraces, as well as a complete list of grape variety-relevant keywords under grapevine.

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