proles, three categories of vine varieties of the vinifera species, grouped according to their geographical origin and, to some extent, their common end use (see botanical classification). The classification is the work of Russian ampelographer Negrul in 1946. The differences between these groups may not only be a matter of response to environment, but also partly due to human selection for particular features related to end use, such as berry size for table grapes. Detailed observation of vine characteristics can reveal particularly close relationships which indicate that they are likely to have come from the same area. Thus are linked, for example, the cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, petit verdot, and fer varieties.
