An ancient Mediterranean family of perfumed grapes
Malvasia
From dry, aromatic whites in Friuli to sweet passito wines in Lipari and the historic blends of Madeira, Malvasia is one of the Mediterranean's oldest and most varied grape families.
The Grape
Malvasia isn't a single grape but an extended family of related varieties grown across the Mediterranean — Italy, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, and beyond. The name derives from Monemvasia, the medieval Greek port from which sweet wines made from these grapes were exported across Europe.
The most prized members include Malvasia di Candia (Lipari), Malvasia Istriana (Friuli and Croatia), Malvasia di Lipari, Malvasia Bianca Lunga (Tuscany), and the Malvasia varieties used in Madeira's Malmsey style. Wines range from bone-dry, aromatic whites to luscious dessert wines and unique skin-contact 'orange' wines.
History & Origins
Malvasia is one of the oldest cultivated grape families in the Mediterranean — the ancient Greeks were exporting sweet Malvasia-style wines from Monemvasia by the 13th century, and Venetian merchants made the wines famous across medieval Europe under names like Malmsey.
Each region developed its own Malvasia identity over the centuries — sweet passito on the Aeolian Islands, dry aromatic whites in Friuli and Istria, sweet Madeira Malmsey in the Atlantic, and a key blending grape in central Italian whites. The 21st century has seen renewed interest in indigenous Malvasias, particularly for skin-contact and orange wine styles.
Flavour Profile
Malvasia's flavour depends entirely on which family member, where it's grown, and how it's vinified — but most share an aromatic, slightly exotic character.
Dry Aromatic Malvasia
White peach, apricot, white flower, almond, citrus zest, gentle herb
The Friulian and Istrian style — dry, perfumed, with a textural fullness that makes for serious gastronomic white wine.
Sweet Passito
Dried apricot, honey, candied orange peel, almond, dried herbs
The Aeolian and Sardinian style — grapes dried in the sun before pressing, producing concentrated dessert wines of remarkable purity and intensity.
Skin-Contact (Orange)
Dried apricot, tea, beeswax, herbs, gentle tannin, autumn fruit
Several producers make Malvasia in the orange wine style — extended skin contact producing textured, complex, food-friendly wines that honour ancient traditions.
What to Pair It With
Malvasia's range makes it remarkably versatile — from aperitif to dessert and even with cheese.
Grilled Vegetables & Antipasti
Dry aromatic Malvasia's textural weight and gentle perfume are a brilliant match for Italian antipasti — particularly grilled aubergines, peppers, and artichokes.
Salt Cod & Mediterranean Fish
Dry Malvasia's stone-fruit perfume and acidity work beautifully with bacalhau, baccalà, and other salted-fish preparations.
Spicy Asian Cuisine
Off-dry Malvasia's perfume and slight sweetness are brilliant against Thai, Vietnamese, or Indian spice — particularly with lemongrass and ginger.
Sicilian Cassata or Almond Pastries
Sweet passito Malvasia from Lipari is a near-perfect match for Sicilian almond and citrus desserts — flavours born from the same landscape.
Soft Cheeses with Honey
Off-dry or sweet Malvasia with fresh ricotta, robiola, or chèvre drizzled with honey is a quietly perfect pairing.
Where the Best Comes From
Malvasia is grown across the Mediterranean — but a handful of regions are particularly distinctive.
Aeolian Islands & Sicily, Italy
Explore Region →Sweet passito, historic, intense
Lipari is the spiritual home of sweet passito Malvasia — sun-dried grapes producing one of Italy's great dessert wines. A historic, place-rooted style.
Friuli & Collio, Italy
Explore Region →Dry, aromatic, gastronomic
Malvasia Istriana produces dry, aromatic whites of remarkable texture — particularly in the cross-border Collio region. Increasingly serious wines.
Istria, Croatia & Slovenia
Explore Region →Dry, often skin-contact, distinctive
The Istrian peninsula's signature white grape — produced in dry, skin-contact, and increasingly sophisticated styles by a new generation of growers.
Madeira, Portugal
Explore Region →Fortified, sweet, indestructible
The Malvasia (or Malmsey) of Madeira is the sweetest and richest of the island's noble grapes — producing intense, indestructible fortified wines.
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