The red grape variety comes from Greece. Synonyms are Agiomasto, Agoumastos, Azoumastos, Kalavritino Mavro, Kalavrytino Mavro, Mavro Kalavritino (second main name), Mavro Kalavrytiko, Rouge de Zante and Zante Rouge. It must not be confused with the variety Psilomavro Kalavryton (Kalavritino) because of apparent synonyms or morphological similarities. The parentage (parenthood) is unknown. Nothing is known about a possible connection to the white variety Agoumastos Lefko. The picture is a bit confusing, because after the name one expects dark coloured or black berries (mavro = black).
The late maturing, vigorous-growing vine is sensitive to botrytis, but resistant to both types of mildew. It produces ruby red, tannin-rich red wines with diverse aromas of cherries, spices and violets. The variety is cultivated in the mountains of Egialia and in Kalavrita in the northwest of the Peloponnese peninsula at an altitude of 700 to 850 metres above sea level by, among others, the three wineries Cavino, Mega Spileo and Tetramythos under the name Mavro Kalavritino. In 2016, however, no stock (not even under Mavro Kalavritino) was reported (statistics Kym Anderson).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Pictures: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn Institute (JKI)
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Roman Horvath MW
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