White grape variety cultivated in Apulia

Malvasia Antica b.

The grape variety Malvasia Antica b., also present in other regions of Italy, is cultivated and is also found in Apulia, where it is with this name in old vineyards.

Origin and Historical Outline

According to Musci (Carpentieri 1947; Calò A., 1986), the Malvasia di Puglia b., which produced a fine and scented wine, was identical with the Malvasia di Lipari. Several plants of Malvasia antica or Malvasia campanara were spotted in an old vineyard in the territory of Biccari (Foggia), in the winery Antonio Marzano. The first results of the current research (Antonacci D. and Crespan M.), carried out also with the help of DNA testing (10 loci), have shown that Malvasia antica is similar to Malvasia bianca lunga.

Synonyms

Malvasia campanara.

Shoot tip: fan-shaped, velvety, whitish, with carmine margin.

Leaf: medium-large, pentagonal, pentalobate (sometimes heptalobate). U or closed lyre-shaped petiole sinus with overlapping lobes; U-shaped upper lateral sinuses, with slightly or very overlapping lobes, closed lyre-shaped lower lateral sinuses, or with parallel edges. Hairless upper leaf side, very arachnoid or downy lower leaf side.

Bunch: medium-large, long, pyramid-shaped, mostly winged, medium loose.

Berry: medium-small, sub-circular or spheroidal; pruinose, golden straw-yellow, thin, medium compact skin; juicy flesh.

Phenology

Time of bud burst: intermediate-late

Flowering time: intermediate-late

Veraison: intermediate-late

Ripening: intermediate-late

Agronomic and Cultural Characteristics

Vigour: good

Average bunch weight: 410 g (min 310 g – max 490 g) Average berry weight: 1.6 g (min 1.4 g – max 1.9 g)

Number of seeds per berry: 1 3

Average rachis weight: 16 g

Fertility of buds: 1 – 2

Potential fertility: 1.5

Actual fertility: 1.2

Environmental and Cultural Requirements

Vine with average phenology and good productivity; it prefers medium-high training and mixed or long pruning.

Chemical Features of the Wine

Alcoholic content: 11 – 13 % by vol.

pH: 3.1 – 3.4

Total acidity: 6 – 7.5 g/l

Oenological Use and Sensorial Properties of the Wine

The Malvasia Antica b. vine presents grapes with very interesting qualitative characteristics, used exclusively for the production of wine. In fact, it combines sufficiently high values of glucidic content with good pH values and total acidity, together with a satisfactory aromatic endowment, higher when fully ripe. The result is a high quality table wine, straw yellow in colour and with a typical aroma, with an excellent balance in the overall composition, good alcohol content, adequate acid structure, savoury and delicate.

Economic Significance and Geographic Distribution

The Malvasia Antica b. vine is present under this name in Apulia, where it can be found in old vineyards.

Author and Source

Antonacci Donato
antonacci.dona@gmail.com

The data sheet of the Malvasia Antica b., revised and updated, is extracted from: Antonacci Donato (2006). Viti di Puglia, Adda publisher. Its use is granted by the author citing the source.