The red grape variety originates from Bulgaria. Synonyms grouped alphabetically by country are Kachivela, Kacivela, Kativela, Marvud, Mawrud, Svinarska Loza, Svinjarska Loza, Tsiganka (Bulgaria); Karvouniaris, Mavro, Mavroude, Mavroudi, Mavroudi Boulgarias, Mavroudion, Mavroudi Voulgarias (Greece), and Mavroud (France). The ancestry (parentage) is unknown. Despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological similarities, it must not be confused with the varieties Karvouniaris, Mavro, Mavroudi Arachovis or Mavrud Varnenski. There are the varieties Mavrud s Edri Zarna, Mavrud s Drebni Zarna, Mavrud sas Splekani Zarna, Mavrud Siv and Mavrud Izresliv, which differ in berry size and colour. The variety was a crossing partner of the new varieties Buket and Evmolpia. According to unverifiable hypothesis, the very old variety (or a possible ancestor) was already cultivated by the Thracians in ancient times.
The late-maturing, high-yielding vine is sensitive to winter frost and drought, susceptible to both types of powdery mildew, but resistant to botrytis. It yields deep red, tannic, acid- and alcohol-rich red wines with plum aroma and ageing potential. The variety is mainly cultivated in the centre and south of Bulgaria. Along with the Shiroka Melnishka (Melnik), it is one of the best Bulgarian red wine vines. The Bulgarian cultivation area in 2016 totalled 1,193 hectares (Kym Anderson). Further small stocks are also said to exist in Albania, Greece and Romania.
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Picture left: Bossev Wine Marketing
Picture right: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
