Mavro (Greek: μαύρο, meaning "black") is an indigenous red grape cultivated on the island of Cyprus.
The Italian ampelographer, Count Giuseppe di Rovasenda refers to it in 1877 as Cipro Nero (Cyprus black).
[2] An ancient variety, its suitability to the hot Cypriot climate has made it the dominant cultivated vine on the island.
This is a consequence of Cyprus’ escape from the phylloxera epidemic that had devastated most other European vineyards, in the 19th century.
[1] Most notably however, Mavro is blended with the Xynisteri grape for the production of Commandaria, a well-known Cypriot dessert wine.