A term commonly used in South America (Criollo = Creole) for grape varieties of the European species Vitis vinifera, which were introduced in the form of seeds or cuttings by Eruopeans from the 16th century onwards, or were created locally through natural crossbreeding. The colonisation of South America, and with it the introduction of viticulture, began in Mexico. Although the Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortez (1485-1547) found native wild vines growing on trees in 1519, the Aztecs living here were unfamiliar with the production of alcohol or wine from them.
The first European vines were probably planted by Cortez and used to make wine (see also New World and USA). However, the year 1540 is usually cited as the year in which Spanish Franciscan fathers in Mexico introduced varieties such as the historic Misión = Listán Prieto, as well as others. One of the main motivations was the production of mass wine. This was followed over the next 16 years by Peru, Chile and Argentina.
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Dr. Christa Hanten
Fachjournalistin, Lektorin und Verkosterin, Wien