Criolla

Common name in South America (also Criollo = Creole) for European grape varieties of the species Vitis vinifera, which were introduced in the form of seeds or cuttings by the Spanish conquistadores from the 16th century onwards, or developed locally through presumably natural crossbreeding. The colonisation of South America and with it the introduction of viticulture began in Mexico. In 1519, the Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortez (1485-1547) found native wild v ines growing on trees, but the Aztecs living here were unfamiliar with making alcohol or wine from them. The first European vines were probably planted by Cortez and wine was made from them (see also New World and USA). Mostly, however, the year 1540 is mentioned, in which Spanish Franciscan fathers in Mexico introduced varieties such as the historical Misión = Listán Prieto, but also others. One of the main motivations was the production of Mass wine. Peru, Chile and Argentina followed in the next 16 years.

Here the variety is cultivated under many names. Probably natural crosses between Listán Prieto x Muscat d'Alexandrie gave rise to at least six varieties centuries ago (possibly in Argentina). Listán Prieto, its descendants and also other varieties introduced from Europe are counted among the Criolla group. These are used for the production of wine, but mainly grape juice, table grapes, sultanas and the spirit Pisco:

Listán Prieto (Criolla Chica, Misión, Mission, Moscatel Negro, País) = parents unknown
Black Prince = Listán Prieto x Muscat d'Alexandrie
Cereza = Listán Prieto x Muscat d'Alexandrie
Cereza Elipsoidal = Cedreza x Listán Prieto
Cereza Italica = unknown parentage
Criolla Grande = Listán Prieto x Muscat d'Alexandrie
Moscatel Amarillo = Listán Prieto x Muscat d'Alexandrie
Moscatel Rosado = Muscat d'Alexandrie x unknown variety
Pedro Giménez = Listán Prieto x Muscat d'Alexandrie
Torrontés Mendocino = Muscat d'Alexandrie x unknown variety
Torrontés Riojano = Listán Prieto x Muscat d'Alexandrie
Torrontés Sanjuanino = Listán Prieto x Muscat d'Alexandrie

Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012

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Criolla

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