The red grape variety originates from Portugal. Synonyms grouped alphabetically by country are Mourisco Preto (Australia); Lagrima Noir (France); Marufa, Mourisco, Mourisco du Douro, Mourisco Preto, Mourisco Tinto, Olho de Rei, Tinta do Caramelo, Tinta Grossa, Trujidera (Portugal); Barrete de Padre, Brujidera, Brujidero, Brujigero, Crujidera, Crujideiro, Crujidero di Spagna, Moravia Dulce, Morisco Tinto, Rucial, Uva de Rei, Uva Rei, Vigorosa (Spain). Despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological similarities, it should not be confused with the varieties Carrega Tinto, Grossa and Tinta Barroca (all with the synonym Tinta Grossa) or Moravia Agria. It was a parent of the varieties Coloraillo, Donzelinho Roxo, Mourisco de Semente, Preto Martinho, Roxo Rei, Tinta Aguiar, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Bragao, Tinta da Barca, Tinta da Melra, Tinta de Cidadelhe, Tinta Martins, Tinta Mesquita, Tinta Valdosa and Touriga Franca. It is an all-female grape variety.
The late-maturing vine is susceptible to powdery mildew and tends to coulure. It produces light-coloured red wines with a neutral aroma. In Spain, it is mostly cultivated under the name Moravia Dulce in the Castilla-La Mancha region, mainly in the provinces of Albacate and Cuenca, where it is authorised in the two DO areas of La Mancha and Manchuela. The area under cultivation in Spain is 1,316 hectares. In Portugal, it occupies 3,367 hectares of vineyards, mainly in the Douro and Minho areas, and is also authorised for port wine. In 2016, a total of 4,693 hectares of vineyards were designated, with a downward trend. This puts the variety in 120th place in the global grape variety ranking (Kym Anderson).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Images: Vine to Wine Circle
