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 were created locally by presumably natural crossbreeding. The colonization 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 vines growing on trees, but the Aztecs living here did not know how to make alcohol or wine from them. The first European vines were probably planted by Cortez and wine made from them (see also New World and USA).
Mostly, however, the year 1540 is mentioned, in which Spanish Franciscan priests in Mexico introduced varieties like the historical Misión = Listán Prieto, but also others. One of the main motivations was the production of the measuring wine. In the next 16 years Peru, Chile and Argentina followed. Here the variety is cultivated under many names. Probably natural crosses between Listán Prieto x Muscat d'Alexandrie resulted in at least six varieties (possibly in Argentina) centuries ago. Listán Prieto, its descendants and also other varieties imported from Europe are counted among the Criolla group. They are used for the production of wine, but mainly grape juice, table grapes, raisins and the spirit drink Pisco:
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012