White Grape Variety - "M" letter

Malvasia also known as Malvazia is a group of wine grape varieties grown historically in the Mediterranean region, Balearic islands, Canary Islands and the island of Madeira, but now grown in many of the winemaking regions of the world.

In the past, the names Malvasia, Malvazia, and Malmsey have been used interchangeably for Malvasia-based wines; however, in modern oenology, "Malmsey" is now used almost exclusively for a sweet variety of Madeira wine made from the Malvasia grape.

Grape varieties in this family include Malvasia bianca, Malvasia di Schierano, Malvasia negra, Malvasia nera, Malvasia Nera di Brindisi and a number of other varieties.

Malvasia wines are produced in Portugal including the island of Madeira, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Corsica, Spain, the Canary Islands, California, Arizona, Australia and Brazil.

These grapes are used to produce white (and more rarely red) table wines, dessert wines, and fortified wines of the same name, or are sometimes used as part of a blend of grapes, such as in Vin Santo. Probably of Greek origin, the Malvasia is a very old family of grapes found throughout the Mediterranean. Known as Malvoisie in France, Malmsey on the island of Madeira and by numerous names in Italy, Malvasia is most likely named after the Greek port city of Monemvasia. Generally associated with white wines of considerable color and sweetness and also with the production of dessert wines.

Malvasia is one of the four styles of Madeira. It is also part of the Italian sweet wine Vin Santo, in which the grapes are dried before pressing. There are also many dry styles found throughout Italy.

While differences among the many sub-varieties of Malvasia exist, there are some common viticultural characteristics of the family. Malvasia tends to prefer dry climates with vineyards planted on sloping terrain of well drained soils. In damp conditions, the vine can be prone to developing various grape diseases such as mildew and rot. The rootstock is moderately vigorous and capable of producing high yields if not kept in check.

The white Malvasia grape, or Malvasia bianca, which is characterized by its deep color, noted aromas and the presence of some residual sugar. In its youth, Malvasia wines are characterized by their heavy body that is often described as "round" or "fat" and soft texture in the mouth. Common aroma notes associated with Malvasia include peaches, apricots and white currants.

Red Malvasia wines are characterized by a richness and chocolate notes. Fortified Malvasia, such as Madeira, are noted for their intense smokey notes and sharp acidity.

As Malvasia ages, the wines tend to take on more nutty aromas and flavors though many Malvasia have a short life span of only a few years after vintage.

Malvasia Fina is a wide cultivated wine grape in Portugal, more frequently found in Douro DOC region. In 2004, there was nearly 18,533 acres (7500 ha) of Malvasia Fina grown in Portugal where it is also known as Boal (though it is most likely not related to the grape Bual which is used to produce the Boal style of Madeira).

Malvasia Fina is found in the Douro where it is a permitted grape in the production of white Port. It is also found in the Tejo and the Dão DOC where it is grown on vineyard land located at high elevations.

Moscatel almost always has a pronounced sweet floral aroma. Moscatel grapes are grown around the world. The breadth and number of varieties of Moscatel suggest that it is perhaps the oldest domesticated grape variety, and there are theories that most families within the Vitis vinifera grape variety are descended from the Moscatel variety.

Moscatel is a liqueurous wine from the Setúbal Peninsula. Although the region has produced wines since the dawn of nationality, it was in 1797 that the wines of Setúbal were first mentioned. There is another variety of Moscatel wine, the "Moscatel de Favaios", in the Região Demarcada do Douro, it is made from a different casta, and the "Galego" (white), while Moscatel Roxo is made upon a casta with the same name as the wine.

Moscatel Galego Branco is a Portuguese white grape mainly from the Douro region. The Vines from the Moscatel family must be the oldest vines known by man. Suspicion that were disseminated by the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans, throughout Europe (Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Italy and Greece). In 1513, Alonso de Herrera refers to this variety citing Abu Zacharias, of the twelfth century. See also the list of synonyms OIV (1996).