Malvasia
A refined, delicate dessert and meditative wine considered a symbol of hospitality and friendship, reserved for special occasions and special people. The name of the wine comes from the Greek port of Monemvasia in the Peloponnese, where, around 1400, a flourishing wine trade with various Mediterranean localities began. Vine species were also spread through this commerce, and this is why Malvasia can be found under widespread cultivation in Italy, but with very varied ampelographic characteristics. According to some researchers, the Malvasia species was already present in Sardinia in the Byzantine era, in the Planargia hills and around the Campidano di Cagliari. The probability of Greek origin is confirmed by the dialect expression Alvarega, which means White Greek. Two different DOC wines derive from this renowned vine species, Malvasia di Bosa and Malvasia di Cagliari. They are very different from both an organoleptic and taste point of view, chiefly due to varying climatic conditions and cultivation techniques. The defining characteristic of Malvasia di Bosa production is a maturation in barrels, which are not completely filled, and the important presence of flor yeasts. This lends the wine a warm and luminous golden tonality, as well as an intense and refined taste of mature fruit, honey and roasted almonds. To the palate, it presents a prolonged, velvet-like presence of great balance and harmony. Malvasia di Cagliari is not matured in barrels, apart from the Riserva typology, and is characterised by a lighter golden colour, as well as fresher taste given by fine and elegant flower and fruit notes.
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DOC MALVASIA DI BOSA |
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Vine |
Malvasia min. 95%, max. 5% other suitable |
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grapes of Sardinian cultivation |
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Zone of cultivation |
The Municipalities of the Planargia historical sub-region |
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Grape yield |
80 quintals/hectare; wine yield: max. 70% |
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Typology and alcohol content |
Natural sweet: min. 15.0°. Dry min. 15.0°, Natural fortified |
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Sweet wine min. 17.5°; Dry fortified wine min. 17.5° |
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Ageing |
Min. two years |
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DOC MALVASIA DI CAGLIARI |
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Vine |
Malvasia min. 95%, max. 5% other suitable |
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grapes of Sardinian cultivation |
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Zone of cultivation |
Parts of the Municipalities of the Province of Cagliari and |
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of the Campidano di Oristano area |
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Grape yield |
Max. 110 quintals/hectare; wine yield: max. 65% |
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Alcohol |
14.0°, 2.0° of which to be developed |
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Typology and alcohol content |
Dry min. 14.0°, Fortified wine min. 17.5°, of which 2.0° to be |
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developed; Dry fortified wine: min. 17.5°, of which 1.0° to be |
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developed; Fortified Reserve: at least two years of ageing, |
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one of which in barrels |
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Malvasia