The red grape variety originates from Spain. Synonyms grouped alphabetically by country are Molar, Rabo de Ovelha Tinto, Saborinho, Tinta de Madeira, Tinta Madeira, Tinta Mole, Tinta Negra, Tinta Negra Mole(Portugal); Mollar, Mollar Cano, Mollar de Cádiz, Mollar de Granada, Mollar de Huelva, Morisca, Mulata, Negra Mole, Negramolle, Verdejo Negro, Verdejo Tinto (Spain); Mollar, Mollar de América, Mollar ICA, Negra Criolla (South America). It should not be confused with the Listán Negro, Listán Prieto, Mollard, Mulata or Preto Martinho varieties, despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological similarities. According to DNA analyses carried out in 2018, it originates from a presumably natural cross between Hebén x unknown father variety. However, this is based on only 20 DNA markers (see under molecular genetics). Direct descendants are Egiodola (new breed), as well as Preto Cardana and Quebranta (from presumably natural crosses). On the Canary Island of Tenerife there is a pink-berry mutation Negramoll Mulato.
In Andalusia it was mentioned in 1787 under Mollar. It was widespread in the Canary Islands (Spain) and Madeira (Portugal) in the 19th century. It was probably brought from Andalusia to these islands in the 18th century. But the variety could be much older. A document from 1614 and other sources suggest that a variety called Mollar was already cultivated at that time in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru. According to DNA analyses carried out in 2006, the South American Mollar and the Spanish Negramoll are identical.
The vine produces alcohol-rich, aromatic red wines with soft tannins. In Portugal, it is cultivated in Madeira under Tinta Negra Mole for the production of the simplest Madeira types, and in the Azores under Saborinho. The total area is 605 hectares. In Spain, it is grown in Tenerife (Canary Islands) under Negramoll and in Extremadura under Mollar, occupying a total of 1,149 hectares. In Peru, it is the most common grape variety under Mollar with 1,252 hectares. It is used here for the brandy Pisco. In Australia, it is grown on six hectares. In 2016, a total of 3,011 hectares of vines were recorded. It is thus ranked 145th in the global grape variety ranking (Kym Anderson).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
