The red grape variety originates from Spain. The hundred or so synonyms testify to its great age and wide distribution. The most important of these, grouped alphabetically by country, are (the other main names are marked in bold) Mataro(Australia, California); Balsac Noir, Balthazar, Balzac, Balzac Noir, Balzar, Beausset, Bon Avis, Catalan, Clairette Noir, Clairette Noire, Damas Noir, Espagnen, Espar, Etrangle Chien, Marseillais, Morvede, Merle d'Espagne, Mourvede, Mourvedon, Mourvèdre, Mourvèdre Famellestadt, Murviedro, Plant de Ledenon, Plant de Saint Gilles (France); Negria (Greece); Rossola Nera (Corsica); Alcallata, Alcayata, Alicante, Benada, Benadu, Bani Carlo, Berardi, Casca, Caymilari Sarda, Del Reyno, Garrut, Gayata, Gayata Tinta, Mataró, Monastel, Monastre, Monastrel, Monastrell Garrut, Monastrell Menudo, Monastrell Verdadero, Morastrell, Negrette, Negre Trinchiera, Negron, Ros, Tintilla, Torrentes, Trinchiera, Verema, Veremeta, Vereneta (Spain).
The variety was already mentioned in 1381 in Empordà (Catalonia) by the monk Francisc Eiximenis (1340-1409) with the Bobal as the most important varieties in Valencia. The name is probably derived from "monasterio" (monastery). This could be an indication that the variety was first cultivated and spread by monks. The exact origin is probably the area around the town of Sagunto in the province of Valencia. Sagunto was an important wine port north of Valencia and was called Murviedro in Catalan until 1877, from which the main French name Mourvèdre is derived.
Despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or...
