White grape variety cultivated in Apulia

Malvasia Bianca b.

The grape variety Malvasia Bianca b. is quite common in Italy and is also present in Apulia, where it is listed among the varieties suitable throughout the region.

Origin and Historical Outline

For the white wine grape variety Malvasia Bianca b. in bibliography it is reported, as for the other Malvasie, that the name could derive from Monemvasia, Greek port, used by the Venetians since the eleventh century to embark wine to be exported to northern Europe. In many central southern areas you can find this grape variety.
Iuvarella and Verdana are also mentioned as synonyms in the bibliography. Research carried out by Antonacci D. et al. (1986) and Antonacci D. and Placco L. (1988) has shown that these vines are different both from each other and from Malvasia.

Synonyms

Malvasia.

Shoot tip: expanded or fan-shaped, downy, whitish-green.

Leaf: medium, pentagonal, pentalobate. Closed or open lyre-shaped petiole sinus, sometimes with overlapping lobes; U-shaped upper lateral sinuses, with slightly overlapping lobes, closed lower lateral sinuses. Slightly cone-shaped blade with upwards folded lobes.

Bunch: medium-large, pyramid-shaped, winged, medium dense.

Berry: medium-small, spheroidal. Slightly pruinose, medium thick, compact skin; green-yellowish colour.

Phenology

Time of bud burst: intermediate

Flowering time: intermediate-early

Veraison: intermediate

Ripening: intermediate-early

Agronomic and Cultural Characteristics

Vigour: medium

Average bunch weight: 420 g (min 320 g – max 580 g)

Average berry weight: 1.5 g (min 1.3 g – max 1.7 g)

Average rachis weight: 21 g

Fertility of buds: 1 – 2

Potential fertility: 1.2

Actual fertility: 1

Environmental and Cultural Requirements

Good production, usually trained on espaliers.

Chemical Features of the Wine

Alcoholic content: 11 – 13.5 % by vol.

pH: 3.2 – 3.5

Total acidity: 5.5 – 7.5 g/l

Oenological Use and Sensorial Properties of the Wine

Grapes of the Malvasia Bianca b. variety are used exclusively for wine production, usually in blends with other local varieties.

Economic Significance and Geographic Distribution

The Malvasia Bianca b. vine is quite present in Apulia. It is registered among the varieties suitable for cultivation in all Apulian production areas and is used for the s QWpsr’s Leverano, Locorotondo, San Severo, Martina or Martina Franca, Cacc’è mitte di Lucera, Gravina and Lizzano.

Author and Source

Antonacci Donato
antonacci.dona@gmail.com

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