Malvasia is a common name or synonym (several names for one variety) and homonym (one name for several varieties) for numerous grape varieties, especially in Italy, Spain and Portugal. However, only some of the more than 100 varieties are genetically related. They are available in the berry colours white, light green, grey, rosé, red, blue and black with different taste characteristics and aromas, for example with and without muscat tones.
The grape varieties with "Malvasia" in their name have a genetically diverse background and show an equally heterogeneous morphology (external appearance). There are no special Malvasia-specific characteristics and no common DNA structure. The name Malvasia therefore relatively often refers to a type of wine but not to a grape variety family that is often incorrectly labelled as such (the same phenomenon also applies to the four name groups Lambrusco, Muscat, Trebbiano and Vernaccia).
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Dominik Trick
Technischer Lehrer, staatl. geprüfter Sommelier, Hotelfachschule Heidelberg