The Italian term is derived from the Latin word "vernaculus" (like the German "Vernatsch"; see under Schiava) and means "native" or "originating from here" or autochthonous. According to a second theory, the name is derived from "verrum" (boar = wild boar), because these animals often invaded the vineyards in the Middle Ages and feasted on the grapes. And according to a third theory, the municipality of Vernazza in the Cinque Terre area of Liguria is named, although there is no evidence or reference to this.
However (as with Lambrusco, Malvasia, Muscat and Trebbiano), it is not an independent grape variety or a family of grape varieties, but the neutral term is used as a designation or part of the name for many white and red grape varieties that are not related and are clearly genetically different.
![]()
The glossary is a monumental achievement and one of the most important contributions to wine knowledge. Of all the encyclopaedias I use on the subject of wine, it is by far the most important. That was the case ten years ago and it hasn't changed since.
Andreas Essl
Autor, Modena