
Malvasia
Learn about Malvasia — taste profile, popular regions and more …
Engaging aromas of jasmine coupled with ripe tropical and stone fruit flavors are pervasive in many wines that call themselves Malvasia. Both grape and name are far-reaching. Over 20 different varieties grow throughout Italy, Spain, Greece and other countries.
But variations on the name itself are plentiful too. There are actually approximately 70 registered grapes with Malvasia as part of their name or listed as a synonym for Malvasia. The French call it Malvoisie, Germans call it Malvasier, British say Malmsey and confusingly one variety double-times under the alias, Boal, on the island of Madeira. In any case, Italy actually has more forms of Malvasia than any other country. Most popular are Malvasia Bianca di Candia from Lazio, Malvasia di Candia Aromatico, which is planted widely and the red-skinned Malvasia di Casorzo from Piedmont. The list goes on.
Tasting Notes for Malvasia
Malvasia makes a dry or sweet white wine with with floral and tropical fruit aromas and flavors of white peach, apricot, green herb and seaspray. While it does have some aromatic red variants, Malvasia mainly occurs as a pale-skinned variety.
Perfect Food Pairings for Malvasia
Try Malvasia with spaghetti bottarga or alla carbonara, chestnut tagliatelle, octopus salad or mu shu vegetable.
Sommelier Secrets for Malvasia
Some think that the actual name, Malvasia, stems from the Italian mispronunciation of Monemvasia, a southern Greek port.
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Botromagno Murgia Gravisano Passito di Malvasia Bianco 2008Malvasia from Puglia, Italy
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L'Astore Masseria Salento Krita Malvasia Bianca 2008Malvasia from Puglia, Italy
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Castelvecchio Carso Malvasia Istriana 2008Malvasia from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
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Adega Regional de Colares Arenae Malvasia 2008Malvasia from Portugal
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Vie di Romans Dis Cumieris Malvasia Istriana 2008Malvasia from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
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Tasca d'Almerita Capofaro Malvasia 2008Malvasia from Sicily, Italy
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Leone de Castris Salento Donna Lisa Malvasia Bianca 2008Malvasia from Puglia, Italy
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Le Vigne de Zamo Colli Orientali del Friuli Malvasia 2008Malvasia from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
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Colosi Malvasia delle Lipari Naturale 2008Malvasia from Sicily, Italy
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Ronco dei Tassi Collio Goriziano Malvasia 2008Malvasia from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
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Zidarich Carso Malvasia 2008Malvasia from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
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Damijan Malvasia 2008Malvasia from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy