The red grape variety originates from France. Synonyms are Ambrosina, Bonifaccenco, Caricagiola, Carignan de Bedouin, Castelino, Carignan de Gigondas, Grosse Rogettaz, Gueyne, Mariscola, Morescola, Motardie, Moustardier, Moustardier Noir, Moutardier, Murescola and Quenoise. Despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological or name similarities, it should not be confused with the varieties Aubin Blanc, Aubin Vert or the related Counoise (with which it is often grown mixed in older vineyards and also shares some synonyms such as Quenoise). According to DNA analyses carried out in 2012, it is a parent of the Mourvaison variety. However, the parentage is unknown.
The medium-maturing, high-yielding vine is susceptible to downy mildew. In its region of origin, it used to be considered resistant to phylloxera, but this was more likely due to the fact that the soil there was not favourable to phylloxera. The variety produces wines that are not very colourful but rich in alcohol, similar to the Carignan Noir (Mazuelo) variety (which is also indicated by some of the synonyms mentioned above), which are more suitable for rosé wines. The variety is permitted in many appellations in Provence (especially Vaucluse), the southern Rhône and Languedoc. At the end of the 1970s, almost 6,000 hectares were still planted with it, but the stock has shrunk to 537 hectares. Together with other varieties (such as Counoise), it was introduced to Australia by James Busby (1802-1871) in 1833. Other stocks are also said to exist in California. There is a 144 hectare stand in Portuga under the name Castelino (Kym Anderson); however, in the VIVCVIVCcatalogue Castelino is given as a synonym for Aubun. In 2016, the holdings of Aubun and Castelino total 681 hectares of vines.
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Pictures: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
