Term for a cross or new breeding between two grape varieties of different species. These are combinations between the European species Vitis vinifera (there is only one) and an American or an Asian species (there are 30 of each). But also crosses between two different American (e.g. Vitis labrusca x Vitis rupestris) or Asian (for example Vitis amurensis x Vitis coignetiae) or between American and Asian species (for example Vitis amurensis x Vitis riparia) are interspecific crosses (inter = between). As a rule, only interspecific crossing products are called hybrids in common usage.
The crossing result of different grape varieties of the same species among each other, for example of two varieties of the only European species Vitis vinifera, is called intraspecific crossing (intra = within). For example, the intraspecific crossing of Riesling(mother variety) x Madeleine Royale(father variety) has resulted in the variety Müller-Thurgau.
On the other hand, a cross between different genera or subgenera is called an intergeneric cross; for example, between the two Vitis subgenera Vitis subg. Vitis and Vitis subg. Muscadinia (see Muscadinia). However, this is relatively rare because crosses are very difficult due to different chromosome numbers. An example is the new breeding of the rootstock Nemadex Alain Bouquet.
According to the EU regulation, interspecific crossings must contain at least parts of the Vitis vinifera species. It is the responsibility of the member states to decide whether such varieties are also permitted for quality wine or local wine. See also under Quality wine grape varieties; and Vine systematics and breeding.
Graphic: Norbert F. J. Tischelmayer
Vine varieties: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
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