The red grape variety originates from France; the name means "early ripeness" in local dialect. Synonyms are Early Burgundy, Early Burgundy(Australia, California); Beaujolais, Black Cluster, Gamay Beaujolais, Gamay de Beaujolais, Gamay du Rhône, Gamay Saint-Laurent, Loubéjac, Malbec Argenté, Noir Hatif, Plant Abouriou, Précoce Naugé, Précoce Noir, Pressac de Bourgogne(France). Although it appears to have synonyms or morphological similarities, it should not be confused with Cot (Malbec, Pressac), Gamay or Noir Hatif de Marseille. DNA analyses carried out in 2009 revealed a parent-offspring relationship with Magdeleine Noire des Charentes (also parent of Merlot and Cot). The variety Abouriou was a cross-breeding partner of the new varieties Ederena, Egiodola, Hron, Nitranka, Rimava and Váh.
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Thomas Götz
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