Mavro is a red variety that dominates the Cypriot vineyard, it thrives in all soils, from the most fertile to the most barren. As a rule its grapes once turned into wine in the usual process, produce balanced, slightly astringent wines, with a weak colour and aroma, which are not amenable to long term ageing.

With specialized winemaking procedures however, especially when the grapes are picked from vineyards in areas such as Pitsilia, Laona of Limassol or Afames, they can produce wines that are just as balanced with a fuller body, colour and nose, and which may be laid down for 2-3 years. Mavro is one of the two varieties from which Commandaria is produced.