Mavro indigenous red grape cultivated on the island of Cyprus

Cyprus’s Vineyards cover the largest percentage of semi-mountainous and mountainous land. Where not financially viable to cultivate anything else, the vine thrives from sea level up to an altitude of more than 1,500 m .

MAVRO

Mavro (Greek: Μαύρο, meaning “black”) is an indigenous red grape cultivated on the island of Cyprus. The grape takes its name from its dark colour.

The Italian ampelographer, Count Giuseppe di Rovasenda refers to it in 1877 as Cipro Nero (Cyprus black).

An ancient variety, its suitability to the hot Cypriot climate has made it the dominant cultivated vine on the island. It accounts for 70% of cultivated vines.

Of note is that Mavro continues to grow on ancient rootstock unlike most mainland European grapes that are grafted on North American rootstock. This is a consequence of Cyprus’s escape from the phylloxera epidemic that had devastated most other European vineyards, in the 19th century.

Mavro grapes are used in the production of several (predominantly red) local wines. Most notably however, Mavro is blended with the Xynisteri grape for the production of Commandaria. It is also used in the production of the spirit zivania.