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Malvasia White (mostly known as Malvasia Bianca) is an ancient, highly fragrant, and broad white grape family reigning in the Mediterranean region. It produces rich, full-bodied white wines that surprise with intense aromas of ripe apricots, honey, jasmine, and citrus fruits. It is one of the most aromatic and history-steeped wines, perfect for those seeking powerful experiences in the glass.
Read moreThis grape family is incredibly versatile. In Italy, Croatia (where it is known as Malvazija Istarska), or Spain, the most diverse wine styles are created from it.
If you enjoy freshness, look for dry, steel-fermented Malvasia wines from Northern Italy (e.g., Friuli) or Croatia's Istrian Peninsula. They will be very aromatic but retain crisp acidity and salty minerality. However, Malvasia is also globally renowned for its naturally sweet dessert wines (Passito style) and long-maceration amber (orange) wines, which reveal deep notes of dried figs and wax.
Dry Malvasia White wine is a perfect partner for baked white fish, scallops, and creamy pasta dishes. Due to its bright aromatic profile, it pairs surprisingly well with spicier Asian (especially Indian) cuisine. Sweet Malvasia dessert wines are indispensable when tasting hard cheeses, almond pastries, and fruit tartlets.
Historians believe the name originated from the port town of Monemvasia on Greece's Peloponnese peninsula. During the Middle Ages, Venetian merchants massively exported a famous and very expensive sweet wine through this port to all of Europe, and in the Italian language, the name gradually transformed into "Malvasia."
Malvasia is not one specific grape; it is an entire family of genetically related (and sometimes not so related) varieties that spread throughout the Mediterranean basin over centuries. Adapting to different microclimates and soils, the variety mutated. Today, dozens of different Malvasia sub-varieties are officially recognized, such as Malvasia Istriana, Malvasia di Candia, or Malvasia delle Lipari.
