Phylloxera was responsible for the introduction of rootstocks in grapevine reproduction methods. Until then, grapevines were planted directly in the soil and on their own roots, i.e., they were planted ungrafted.

Nowadays, the rootstock is essential for the growing and grafting of vines. Grafting consists of connecting two distinct grapevines, which is done physiologically, welding one’s roots (the rootstock or female vine) to the aerial part of the other (the scion or male vine).

Rootstocks are divided into two groups: pure varieties and hybrids resulting from cross fertilisation between different varieties. In the first ones one finds Rupestris du Lot; the second ones include the following types:
- Berlandieri x Rupestris: 1103 P, 99 R, 110 R and 140 Ru;
- Berlandieri x Riparia: 420 A, 161-49 C, SO4, 5 BB, 5 C and 125 AA;
- Riparia x Rupestris: 3309 C;
- (Vinifera x Rupestris) x Riparia: 196-17 Cl;
- Vinifera x Berlandieri: 41 B.

Description of the most common rootstocks in Portugal (adapted from IVV’s Catálogo de Porta-Enxertos [Rootstock Catalogue]):