The red grape variety originates from Italy or Spain. Synonyms are Amansosu, Bovale di Spagna, Bovale Grande, Bovale Mannu, Grane, Gros Noir d'Espagna, Manzesu, Monica, Morescone, Morescono, Muresconu, Negroni, Nera di Abbasanta, Nero Grande, Niedda Manna, Niedda Mannu, Nieddou Mannu, Nieddu Manno and Tieddu Mannu.

Like many other Sardinian varieties, it may have been introduced from Spain during the Spanish occupation (1323-1720). According to DNA analyses carried out in 2021, it originates from a presumably natural cross between Hebén x unknown parent variety. It should not be confused with the varieties Monica Nera, Nieddera or Pascale due to some of the same synonyms or morphological similarities.
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