Malvasia

Malvasia is a name used for a group of white grape varieties rather than a single variety. Grown in many Mediterranean and Atlantic wine regions, these grapes are known for producing aromatic wines with a wide stylistic range, from dry whites to dessert wines. The term Malvasia has a long historical association with sweet, fortified wines traded to Northern Europe, and it has given rise to a number of regional wine names, such as Malmsey in Madeira.

Notable varieties that carry the Malvasia label include Malvasia Bianca, Malvasia di Candia (also called Malvasia Candia), Malvasia Fina, and Malvasia Aromatica di Candia. Other distinct, widely planted forms are Malvasia Istriana in the Istrian peninsula, and Malvasia delle Lipari from the Aeolian Islands. In the Canary Islands, the Malvasía name is used for several local selections, including aromatic Malvasía and the volcanic terroir wines known as Malvasía Volcánica. In Madeira, Malvasia is one of the historic grape families used to produce fortified wines, including the famous Malmsey style.

Wine styles associated with Malvasia range from dry, aromatic whites to rich, sweet wines obtained by drying grapes or fortification. In general, Malvasia wines are often fragrant with floral and fruity notes, and when aged they can develop honeyed or nutty characters. The wide use of the name across regions means that Malvasia wines can differ significantly in aroma, body, and sweetness depending on the specific grape clone, climate, and vinification methods.