The white grape variety originates from Greece. Synonyms are Artemisi, Artemissi, Klossaria, Monembasia, Monemvassia, Monembasitiko, Monemvassiatiko, Monemvassitiko, Monobasia, Monovassia and Parghino.It is one of the numerous mostly unrelated varieties with name part Malvasia (see there). It is believed that the variety (among many others) was used for the production of the famous Malvasia wines, which were shipped or exported from the historic Greek port of Monemvasia (Laconia) as early as the 13th century. The variety's ancestry is unknown; according to DNA analyses carried out in 2000, there is no relationship with any of the many other Malvasia varieties.