| Grape variety |
Malvasia bianca |
| Synonyms |
Malvasia Bianca Lunga, Malvasia del Chianti. |
| Grape colour |
White grape |
| History |
Malvasia Bianca, a white grape variety, traces its roots back to the ancient Greek city of Monemvasia. During the Middle Ages, its sweet wines were highly favored in Venice, earning it the name 'Malvasia.' The variant known as 'Malvasia Bianca Lunga' or 'Malvasia del Chianti' was popularized in the 19th century by Count Benito Ricasoli, a key player in the creation of the renowned Chianti blend. |
| Ampelographic features |
The Malvasia Bianca vine showcases medium-large, pentagonal, seven-lobed leaves, often bulging, sometimes rippled with depressions at the base of the major ribs. The leaves possess a dark green hue, with green ribs occasionally rose at the petiole point. The bunch is medium-large, elongated, typically compact with a short, robust green peduncle. The grapes, ranging from spheroidal to ellipsoidal, display a pruinose, medium-thick skin that turns from greenish-yellow to golden or amber when sun-exposed. The pulp is quite consistent, adhering to the berries, with an intensely aromatic, muscat flavor. |
| Characteristics of the wine |
The wine yielded from the Malvasia Bianca grape is mildly acidic, fresh, with a subtle aromatic profile. It forms the backbone of several Denominazione di origine controllata (DOC) wines in Southern Italy, contributing a delicate fruitiness to the blends. |
