Vitis International Variety Catalogue
Encyclopedia
The Vitis International Variety Catalogue (VIVC) is a database
of various species
and varieties/cultivar
s of grapevine
, the genus
Vitis
. VIVC is administered by the Geilweilerhof Institute for Grape Breeding (Institut für Rebenzüchtung Geilweilerhof) in Siebeldingen
, Germany
, and contains information from grapevine collections existing in various institutes of viticulture
around the world. As of April 2009, the information in the database brought together information from 130 institutions located in 45 countries, and contains about 18,000 entries.
The database was started in 1983, and has been available online since 1996. Its initial creation was supported by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine
and the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources, a forerunner of Bioversity International
. The purpose of the VIVC database is to provide documentation on available grapevine genetic resources, and to be a source of information to grape breeders, viticultural researchers and others.
The information on grape cultivars in VIVC includes basic characteristics of the cultivars, holding institutes, passport data, and all known synonyms, which are quite numerous for many grape cultivars. In some cases, photos and genetic information (microsatellite information used for DNA profiling) are included.
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
of various species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
and varieties/cultivar
Cultivar
A cultivar'Cultivar has two meanings as explained under Formal definition. When used in reference to a taxon, the word does not apply to an individual plant but to all those plants sharing the unique characteristics that define the cultivar. is a plant or group of plants selected for desirable...
s of grapevine
Grapevine
Grapevine is the common name for plants of the genus Vitis. Other meanings include:*Grapevine , a term often used to describe a form of communication by means of gossip or rumor, as in "heard it through the grapevine"...
, the genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Vitis
Vitis
Vitis is a genus of about 60 species of vining plants in the flowering plant family Vitaceae. The genus is made up of species predominantly from the Northern hemisphere. It is economically important as the source of grapes, both for direct consumption of the fruit and for fermentation to produce...
. VIVC is administered by the Geilweilerhof Institute for Grape Breeding (Institut für Rebenzüchtung Geilweilerhof) in Siebeldingen
Siebeldingen
Siebeldingen is a municipality in Südliche Weinstraße district, in Rhineland-Palatinate, western Germany....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and contains information from grapevine collections existing in various institutes of viticulture
Viticulture
Viticulture is the science, production and study of grapes which deals with the series of events that occur in the vineyard. When the grapes are used for winemaking, it is also known as viniculture...
around the world. As of April 2009, the information in the database brought together information from 130 institutions located in 45 countries, and contains about 18,000 entries.
The database was started in 1983, and has been available online since 1996. Its initial creation was supported by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine
International Organisation of Vine and Wine
The International Organisation of Vine and Wine is an intergovernmental organization which deals with technical and scientific aspects of viticulture and winemaking. The field of OIV includes grape production for all purposes, i.e...
and the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources, a forerunner of Bioversity International
Bioversity International
Bioversity International is one of 15 agricultural research centres supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research . It is dedicated to the conservation and use of agricultural biodiversity to improve the livelihoods of poor people. The organization is highly...
. The purpose of the VIVC database is to provide documentation on available grapevine genetic resources, and to be a source of information to grape breeders, viticultural researchers and others.
The information on grape cultivars in VIVC includes basic characteristics of the cultivars, holding institutes, passport data, and all known synonyms, which are quite numerous for many grape cultivars. In some cases, photos and genetic information (microsatellite information used for DNA profiling) are included.