Of note is that Mavro continues to grow on ancient rootstock unlike most mainland European grapes that are grafted on North American rootstock. This is a consequence of Cyprus’ escape from the phylloxera epidemic that had devastated most other European vineyards, in the 19th century.
The fact that Mavro thrives on ancient rootstock, unlike most European grapes which are grafted onto North American rootstock, is a consequence of Cyprus's resistance to the phylloxera epidemic that ravaged many other European vineyards in the 19th century.