vinifera

noun

vi·​nif·​era vī-ˈni-f(ə-)rə 

plural vinifera or viniferas

: a common European grape (Vitis vinifera) that is the chief source of Old World wine and table grape varieties

vinifera adjective

Examples of vinifera in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Vitis vinifera varietal (including cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and zinfandel), grafted onto a rootstock that is disease-resistant to phylloxera, is the ideal type of wine grapevine. — The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2026

Nick Ferrante, whose family’s business has been making wine since 1937, was one of the area’s original advocates for vinifera. — Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 16 Apr. 2026

By crossing European Vitis vinifera with disease-resistant wild species, breeders have created varieties that can thrive with dramatically fewer fungicide applications. — Michelle Williams, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2026

Howland recommends pruning these vines (Vitis vinifera) in April to promote healthy growth and maximize fruit production. — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 3 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin vinifer wine-producing, from vinum wine

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for vinifera

• antisera
• cladocera
• cordillera
• hemiptera
• homoptera
• lonicera
• neuroptera
• oenothera
• orthoptera
• phylloxera
• primavera
• spodoptera