Definition of the term prime name:
Principles employed for cultivar name registration in the database.

1. If several names (synonyms) of one grapevine cultivar are known, it is necessary to define a prime name:

• as prime name the name of the cultivar in its (probable) country or region of origin is considered
• if the origin of the cultivar is uncertain the name under which the cultivar is the most widespread is chosen as prime name
• all further names are registered as synonyms

Example: Pinot noir: synonyms are, for instance, Spätburgunder blau, Auvernat etc.

2. The prime name of a grapevine cultivar is always accompanied by the berry colour, using:'

• Blanc (B) = white
• Rose (RS) = pink
• Rouge (RG) = red
• Gris (G) = gray-red
• Noir (N) = bluish-blackv

Example: Pinot noir N

3. If a prime name is composed out of name of the cultivar plus descriptor, e. g. ripening time, berry colour, they are arranged in the following order:

• prime name - descriptor - berry colour

Example:   Pinot precoce noir N

4. The following rules are applied if the prime name of a cultivar consists of the breeders name or location and breeding number:

• The breeders name or location has to be written in full form and is mentioned in the first place.

Example: Kober 5 BB N, Geilweilerhof 1- 23-13 B

5. The prime name is indicated without genera if the species is part of the prime name.
Example: Rupestris du Lot, not: V. rupestris du Lot

6. All language-specific symbols (accent, cedilla, tilde, dieresis) of prime names are omitted.

7. Prime names of cultivars given in Cyrillic letters are transliterated by using rules of Chemical Abstracts.
Example: Magaracha rannii N

8. Tetraploid cultivars are additionally marked (4N)
Example: Chasselas blanc B (4N)

9. If a cultivar is the descendant of different species it is registered as Interspecific crossing in the field Vitis species.
Example:

Seibel 1 N is a cross of Jaeger 70 x Cinsaut and therefore registered as Interspecific crossing in the field Vitis species