This red grape variety originates from Greece. Its synonyms include Black Naousa, Csinomavro, Mavro, Mavro Goumenissas, Mavro Naoussis, Mavro Naoustino, Mavro Xyno, Naouses Mavro, Naoussis Mavro, Naoustiano, Naoystiro Mavro, Negroska Popolka, Niaousa, Niasoustino, Pipoliko, Pipolka, Popoliko, Popolka, Xinogaltso, Xynomavro Bolgar, Xynomavron, Xynomavro Naoussis, Xynomavro of Náoussa, Zinomavro and Zynomavro. The synonym ‘Naoussis Mavro’ and similar terms (literally ‘Black from Naoussa’) suggest its probable origin in Macedonia.

According to DNA analyses carried out in 2021, it is thought to have originated from a natural cross between an unknown parent variety and Gouais Blanc. It is classified into three variants, which differ ampelographically.
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