Wine grape variety grown in Apulia
The Malvasia Bianca di Candia b. vine, widespread in Italy, is also present in Apulia, where it is suitable for cultivation in the Salento-Arco-Jonico-Salentino area.
It is marked by berries lacking any aromatic qualities. It is also called Malvasia Rossa, but not because of the colour of the fruit but owing to the typical colour of the young bud.
Malvasia, Malvasia candida, Malvasia rossa, Uva di cerreto.
Shoot tip: fan-shaped, downy, green-whitish, with bright pink hues.
Leaf: medium-large, pentagonal, trilobate, sometimes pentalobate. Open lyre-shaped petiole sinus; open V-shaped upper lateral sinuses, not very deep, V-shaped lower lateral sinuses, if present. Smooth blade.
Bunch: large or medium-large, cone-shaped, often winged (two wings), rather loose.
Berry: medium, spheroidal. Thin and compact, not very pruinose skin, golden yellow colour, with brown spots if the bunches are well exposed to the sun. Flesh with a plain taste.
Time of bud burst: intermediate
Flowering time: early-intermediate
Veraison: intermediate-early
Ripening: intermediate-late
Vigour: medium-high
Average bunch weight: 490 g (min 330 g – max 630 g)
Average berry weight: 2.5 g (min 2.1 g – max 3 g)
Number of seeds per berry: 1 3
Average rachis weight: 20 g
Fertility of buds: 1 – 2
Potential fertility: 1.3
Actual fertility: 1
Good and consistent production. Prefers well exposed hilly soil, also suited for clayey and dry soils, with a predominantly warm climate. Prefers medium-high training with medium-long pruning.
Alcoholic content: 10.5 – 11.5 % by vol.
pH: 3.3 – 3.6
Total acidity: 5 – 6 g/l
The grapes of the Malvasia Bianca di Candia b. vine are used exclusively for vinification, generally in blends with other varieties.
The result is a wine that is straw yellow in colour, slightly perfumed, sapid, dry, or slightly sweetish, with a characteristic and accentuated bitterish aftertaste. If pure, the wine requires special care because it tends to oxidise easily.
The Malvasia Bianca di Candia b. vine is present in Apulia. It is registered among the varieties suitable for cultivation in the Salento-Arco-Jonico-Salentino production area.
Antonacci Donato
antonacci.dona@gmail.com
The data sheet of the Malvasia Bianca di Candia 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.