Malvasia Bianca belongs to the extensive Malvasia family, a group of ancient Mediterranean grape varieties whose name is linked to Monemvasia, a port in the Peloponnese from which Venetian merchants spread fragrant and often sweet wines throughout Europe. In Italy, it is found mainly in the southern regions, being particularly widespread in Puglia, Sicily, Calabria and Campania, where it thrives in hilly terrain and in areas with a warm, sunny climate.
The vine has large leaves, generally pentagonal and five-lobed, though sometimes three-lobed, with a slightly tomentose underside. The bunch is medium or medium-large, elongated, conical or cylindrical-conical in shape, often winged and generally loose. The berries are medium-sized, spherical, with a firm, greenish-yellow skin that tends towards golden in the most exposed locations.
The wine is characterised by its straw-yellow colour, sometimes enhanced by golden highlights, and by an elegant, fruity and floral bouquet, with hints of peach, apricot, almond and white flowers. On the palate, it offers good freshness, savouriness, smoothness and generally medium body. The dry versions best express the grape’s youthful fragrance, whilst late harvests, passito wines and wines aged on the lees can develop greater complexity and longevity. An interesting fact about this grape is its frequent inclusion in traditional blends, where it helps to broaden the aromatic profile and make the wine more harmonious.