‘No. 35 - Mataro (3/l, or No. 3 of the private collection [of Busby]). Black grape, produces much more abundantly, and with more certainty, than the preceding grapes [Carignan and Grenache], not so sweet, but ripens earlier.

The foregoing three [Carignan, Grenache and Mataro], with sometimes the addition of No. 36 [Mourastell], are described by Mr. Busby, in his journal, and by French authors, as the sorts used in making the wine of Roussillon; the whole being usually planted together. Some of the wine made from them, on decomposing schistus, is said to have been kept more than 150 years, and to have continued to improve to the last.’ [Maro p.29/1844].