Malvasia Wine Guide: Learn About the Malvasia Wine Grape

Malvasia is a name that refers to a range of 20 to 70 different grapes, predominantly of Mediterranean origin, that are mostly white, with some that are light red. The name is likely an Italian transliteration of the Greek port of Monemvasia, an important seaport for wine distribution in the Middle Ages. Malvasia grapes are used to make both dry and sweet wines. Malvasia is not to be confused with Malvoisie, a French name for several varieties of wine that includes pinot gris.

Malvasia grapes thrive in dry climates and are grown in many winemaking regions, especially in the Mediterranean. Italy grows more Malvasia than any other country and boasts 15 official sub-varieties of the grapes. Spain, especially the Canary Islands, and Portugal, including the island of Madeira, are both important producers, as are Croatia and Greece to a lesser extent. A grape from Piemonte, Italy, simply known as Malvasia Bianca, is grown in California's Central Valley.

The name Malvasia describes a wide variety of grapes with different characteristics. Varieties include:

1. 1. Malvasia Bianca di Candia: Also known as Malvasia di Candia, this is the most popular Malvasia grape grown in Italy. Candia is an ancient name for the island of Crete, where this grape was believed to have originated. Malvasia Bianca di Candia is primarily grown in Lazio and central Italy. A varietal wine made with Malvasia Bianca di Candia will be straw-yellow in color, with a fruity aroma and dry, low-tannin flavor.
2. 2. Malvasia di Lipari: This white grape, also known as Malvasia di Sardinia, is grown on the island of Lipari off the coast of Sicily. It is traditionally used to make passito, a sweet wine of sun-dried grapes.
3. 3. Malvasia Puntinata: This white grape, also known as Malvasia del Lazio, is a cross between Muscat of Alexandria and Schiava Grossahas. It is known for its relatively small berries, each of which has a small punta (dot) on the tip.
4. 4. Malvasia di Casorzo: This red grape variety is grown in Casorzo, in the Province of Asti in the region of Piedmont. It is used to make sweet red wines that are often sparkling or half-sparkling. Malvasia di casorzo can also be used to make passito.
5. 5. Malvasia Nera di Brindisi: Also known as Malvasia Nera di Lecce, this red wine from Puglia is often blended with other red grapes like Negroamaro or Sangiovese.
6. 6. Malvasia Istriana: This white grape is from the Istria peninsula, which is shared by Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy. In Croatia, the grape is known as Malvazija Istarska. In Italy, Malvasia Istrania is mainly grown in Collio, in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and in Emilia-Romagna, it's used to make sparkling wine.
7. 7. Malvasia de Colares: Grown in Portugal, this light-skinned grape has mineral notes. It is likely a cross between the Spanish Hebén and the Portuguese Amaral.
8. 8. Malvasia Fina: This white grape, also known as Boal, is grown in the Douro Valley in Portugal and is one of the grape varieties permitted in making Port wine.
9. 9. Malvasia di Lanzarote: This Spanish grape is grown on the Canary Island of Lanzarote and might be a cross between Malvasia di Lipari and marmajuelo, a local variety.

There are many grapes called Malvasia, and as a result, there are many different types of table wines and dessert wines made from Malvasia grapes.

1. 1. Malmsey: This English name for Malvasia typically refers to a sweet Madeira wine made from Portuguese Malvasia Candida—not to be confused with Italian Malvasia di Candia.
2. 2. Vin santo: This dessert wine from Tuscany typically features white Malvasia and Trebbiano. To make this so-called "holy wine," the grapes are traditionally sun-dried on straw mats.
3. 3. Malvasia delle Lipari DOC: Malvasia delle Lipari DOC is an aromatic wine made from Malvasia di Lipari and a small amount of Corinto Nero. It comes in three versions—a table wine, a dessert wine, and a liqueur.

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