🍇 Mavro

Mavro is a red grape from Cyprus that the VIVC catalogue lists as a wine and table variety. It is one of only two grapes from which, according to the PDO file, sweet Commandaria is made; the other is the white Xynisteri. Local Mavro is also among the most widespread grapes in the vineyards of Larnaca and Nicosia.

The name means "black" in Greek. VIVC lists 8 synonyms, including Kypreiko mavro, "Cypriot black", and the English Local black; the main name in the catalogue is Mauro. The Larnaca and Nicosia files call it Dopio Mavro, that is, "local Mavro".

Commandaria is made from sun-dried grapes in 14 villages north of Limassol. By law the sweet base wine is aged in oak for at least two years (Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO).

The PGI Larnaca file says that the most widespread grapes of this district are local Mavro, Xynisteri and Sultanina; the vineyards lie at 100–700 m, and annual rainfall is about 351.5 mm. According to the PGI Lefkosia file, Nicosia grows almost exclusively Mavro and Xynisteri, with less Maratheftiko. The grape is also on the lists of PGI Pafos and PDO Krasochoria Lemesou.

Why it matters to you. If a Cypriot red or rosé says Mavro, it is the same local grape. Commandaria always comes from Mavro or Xynisteri, so the name alone tells you the grapes. Red wines are served at 15–18 °C and stored lying down, in the dark.