The red grape variety originates from Italy. Synonyms are Abbruzzese, Albese, Amaro Nero, Arbise, Don Ambrosio, Jonico, Lacrima, Negro Amaro, Nero Amaro, Mangiaverme, Mentuonico, Morese, Negra Della Lorena, Nero Leccese, Nigroamaro, Purcinara, San Marcuno, Uva Cane and Uva Olivella. The name means "black bitterness" (high tannin content) or is an emphasis (lat. nigra and grch. mavro for black) of the dark berry colour.
According to one hypothesis, an ancestor was allegedly introduced by Greek colonists as early as the 7th century BC. The ancestry (parentage) is unknown. According to DNA analyses carried out in 2011, however, no links to Greek varieties could be established. A suspected parent-offspring relationship with the Sangiovese variety has also not been confirmed. There is also an early-ripening variety called Negroamaro Précoce. A direct descendant from a natural cross with Malvasia Bianca Lunga is the variety Malvasia Nera di Brindisi.
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Markus J. Eser
Weinakademiker und Herausgeber „Der Weinkalender“