The Italian term is derived from the Latin word "vernaculus" (like the German "Vernatsch"; see under Schiava) and means "native" or "coming 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 in Liguria is named, but there is no evidence for this. In any case, it is not (as with Lambrusco, Malvasia, Muscat and Trebbiano) a single grape variety or a family of grape varieties, but the neutral term is used in the name/synonym for many white and red grape varieties that are clearly genetically different. The numerous Vernaccia synonyms are partly indicated or assigned differently in the sources (e.g. Wine Grapes and VIVC catalogue):
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Sigi Hiss
freier Autor und Weinberater (Fine, Vinum u.a.), Bad Krozingen