Palm & Vine
  • Home
  • Free Resources
  • About Me
  • Press & Portfolio
  • Services
  • Contact Me
  • Wine
    • Tastings & Events
    • Wineries
    • World of Wine
  • Rare Varieties
  • Food & Wine
  • Musings

Copyright © 2023 Palm & Vine.
All Rights Reserved.
 

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Disclaimer

Social Links

Free Resources
Contact
Palm & Vine
Palm & Vine Palm & Vine
  • Wine
    • Wine Tastings & Events
    • World of Wine
    • Wineries
  • Rare Varieties
  • Food & Wine
  • About
    • My Wine Lifestyle
    • Contact Me
  • Press & Portfolio
  • Services
    • Find Your Marketing Flavor Profile
    • Free Resources
  • WineComm 365
Malvasia di Bosa
  • Rare Varieties

Malvasia di Bosa – A Rare Sardinian Nectar

  • 6 minute read
Total
9
Shares
8
0
1

This week’s rare variety is one that you might have actually heard of before, perhaps even tasted. Originating in the Adriatic Sea basin, Malvasia is a white variety widely cultivated throughout western Europe, the Mediterranean and even the Canary Islands. According to Jancis Robinson, the name of this variety is derived from the Greek port Monemvasia, the port through which the rich Malvasia dessert wines passed on their way to western and northern Europe during the Middle Ages. Yes, this variety is an ancient one. 

When I said this is a widely cultivated variety, I meant it. The name actually encompasses a whole family of Malvasia varieties. Though depending on where the variety is grown, the name does tend to change a bit. In Portugal, you’ll find Malvasia Fina throughout the inland northern regions, such as the Duoro, Dão, Beira Interior and through the region of Lisboa. Malvasia is one of four varieties permitted in Boal, a sweet wine produced on the island of Madeira.

In addition to Sardinia, Malvasia is cultivated on the island of Sicily near the northeastern city of Messina for sweet wine production. You’ll find Malvasia in Central Italy and throughout Tuscany, where Malvasia Toscana is often blended with Trebbiano for still white wine production in both sweet and dry styles. Within the region of Lazio, Malvasia Bianca di Candia or Malvasia del Lazio make up at least 70% of the blend of an extremely rare, sweet wine from late harvest, noble rot grapes called Cannellino di Frascati D.O.C.G.

The Croatians have been producing Malvasia for over 400 years. This Istrian Malvasia makes a beautifully aromatic, full-bodied, and harmonious white wine often featuring notes of acacia flower, apple, plum, and apricot. The Croatian expression of this variety is exquisite and definitely a wine I recommend drinking at least once in your life. Additionally, Malvasia is grown in Spain, Greece, Slovenia, and Montenegro.

Now, you might be thinking, “Nikki, if Malvasia is cultivated in so many countries, why are you including this in your rare varieties series?”

And that is a very good question. For which I have a very good answer. Malvasia di Bosa D.O.C

Malvasia di Bosa D.O.C.

Produced in the picturesque region of Bosa, this Sardinian Malvasia is a unique oxidative wine worth exploring. Historically speaking, Malvasia di Bosa was an extremely precious product often given as a gift for significant life events, including births, deaths, marriages, and rituals. Today, there are only a handful of producers making this wine. Even while in Sardinia, I needed to go to numerous wine shops to track down a bottle and it was impossible for me to get my hands on a significantly aged Malvasia ready to be opened.

Malvasia di Bosa is produced from the Malvasia di Sardegna grape. Genetic research has linked this variety to Malvasia di Sitges in Spain and Malvasia di Lipari, from the Italian island off the northern coast of Sicily. While Malvasia di Candida, a sub-variety in Crete, is thought to be an offspring of Malvasia di Sardegna.

The Malvasia di Bosa D.O.C. was established in 1972 in large part due to the efforts of the most world-renowned producer for this wine, Giovanni Battista Columbu. He was a champion for the variety and its particular production methods early on. 

This D.O.C. encompasses the white, sparkling, and passito styles. The following are the requirements for each.

White Wines

  • Minimum of 95% Malvasia di Sardegna, maximum 5% other suitable white varieties of Sardinian cultivation
  • Includes both a sweet and dry style, plus a Riserva designation
  • 13% minimum alcohol
  • 3 months minimum aging
  • Riserva designation requires a 2 year aging minimum, 1 of which must be in barrel

Sparkling Wines

  • Spumante made from a minimum of 95% Malvasia di Sardegna, maximum 5% other suitable white varieties of Sardinian cultivation
  • 9.5% minimum alcohol
  • Sweetness levels can range from demisec to dolce
  • Approximately 1-2 months minimum aging

Dessert Wines

  • Passito style in which the grapes may be dried on or off the vine to achieve a minimum sugar level of 272 g/l
  • 14% minimum alcohol
  • Approximately 2-4 months minimum aging

Sardinia also has a second geographic indication for this variety called Malvasia di Cagliari D.O.C.

Malvasia In The Vineyard

Malvasia di Bosa
Photo from Akinas

As you might imagine by the above D.O.C. information, cultivation of the variety within Sardinia is concentrated to the zones of Bosa and Cagliari. The growing season for Malvasia di Sardegna starts with budbreak in the first ten days of March followed by flowering in the second ten days of May. Things start to get exciting with veraison in the first ten days of August and the grapes are usually ready for harvest by mid-September.

Malvasia di Bosa
Photo from Akinas

What makes Malvasia di Bosa D.O.C. so unique?

Malvasia di Bosa is produced in an oxidative aging process, just like one of my other Sardinian favorites – Vernaccia di Oristano. This unique process would not be possible without the help of the flor yeast strain of saccharomyces cerevisiae, the common yeast that makes alcoholic fermentation possible. So, what’s up with flor?

Flor has both a fermentative and oxidative metabolism. First, the yeast complete alcoholic fermentation. They consume sugars, converting these sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide while releasing heat. The yeast’s environment (the must), which was once rich in fermentable carbon resources (i.e. sugar) is now rich in ethanol. Due to a modified gene expression signaled by the change in environmental resources, the flor yeast transition to oxidative metabolism in a process called the diauxic shift. Now, they can use oxygen and non-fermentable resources (i.e. ethanol or organic acids) to convert energy.

In need of oxygen for survival, the flor must move to the surface of the wine. Flor yeast strains have a higher unsaturated fatty acid content that increases their buoyancy to make this journey. Furthermore, the expression of the flor’s FLO11 gene has been proven to increase the hydrophobicity of the surface of the yeast cells. This essentially means the cells do not interact with water, which causes them to cluster together. The aggregated cells trap carbon dioxide bubbles present from fermentation and this carbon dioxide provides additional buoyancy for the flor to reach the top of the wine.

Then, the flor colonizes and forms a biofilm on the wine’s surface. Over years of aging, the wine undergoes a gradual oxidation under this protective layer, producing wines with oxidative characteristics, such as nutty, savory, or umami aromas and flavors. Chestnut or oak barrels are traditionally used during the aging process and are filled to about 90 percent capacity, leaving some headspace for oxygen. Vernaccia di Oristano also experiences significant evaporation through the aging process, further concentrating the magnificent aromas and flavors of this wine, while also increasing the alcohol and glycerol levels.

Malvasia di Bosa in the Glass

Malvasia often produces high alcohol, intensely colored wines that oxidize easily. Depending on the region of cultivation and winemaking methods implemented, the wine will have fruit aromas like apricot, quince, dried orange peel, or other dried fruits. Nutty characteristics and floral aromas are also quite common.

Malvasia di Bosa is typically a medium intensity deep straw yellow color with amber reflections in the glass. Aromas are intense and persistent, as Malvasia is generally an aromatic variety. Expect oxidative nutty notes like bitter almond and toasted hazelnut. Dry or sweet depending on the style (I prefer dry), but typically rounded and full-bodied with high alcohol content.

Recommended Producer

Giovanni Battista Columbu, Malvasia di Bosa Riserva

Check out the link for tasting notes from the producer.

My Tasting Notes

  • Explosive, complex aromas of olive, salinity, clove, caramelized sugar, butterscotch, coffee, toffee, balsamic, macchia; more pronounced white floral aromas the wine warms and opens
  • Bursting with bright acidity, layered roundness to the palate with nice weight, savory flavors
Malvasia di Bosa
Malvasia di Bosa

Malvasia di Bosa is a wine that is meant to be cellared. The longer the better, as these wines can age for up to 50 years. I will be cellaring the Giovanni Battista Columbu Malvasia di Bosa D.O.C. 2014 bottle that I was able to get my hands on for several years to come.

Pairing Suggestions

Malvasia di Bosa pairs well with fresh shellfish, like steamed mussels with garlic and parsley or spaghetti with clams and botarga. Salty olives. Proscuitto wrapped Asian pears with fresh thyme and honey would be a delicious pairing. Proscuitto or ham appetizers in general. Seared scallops in a lemon caper sauce would also be divine.

Sources

Akinas, Uve di Sardegna, Poliedro, 2017, Ilissio Edizioni, Nuoro

Wine of Sardinia E-Book From Laore Sardegna

Wine Folly – Malvasia Fina

Wine Folly – The Wines to Know from Lazio

Jancis Robinson – Malvasia

Share 8
Tweet 0
Pin it 1

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Total
9
Shares
Share 8
Tweet 0
Pin it 1
Related Topics
  • Italian Wine
  • Mediterranean
  • Sardinia
  • White Wine
  • Wine Tasting
Previous Article
Bovale
  • Rare Varieties

Bovale – A Complex Sardinian Red With Depth

View Post
Next Article
Nasco
  • Rare Varieties

Nasco – An Elegant and Historic Sardinian White Wine

View Post

You May Also Like

Freisa, italian wine, red wine, piedmont, piemonte italy
View Post
  • 4 min
  • Rare Varieties

Freisa – A Rare Italian Red Related to Nebbiolo

Roero, Arneis, Piedmont Italy, Italian wine, wine region
View Post
  • 4 min
  • Rare Varieties

Arneis: Piedmont’s Great White Italian Wine

Verduno Pelaverga, Piedmont, Cuneo
View Post
  • 3 min
  • Rare Varieties

Pelaverga a.k.a. One of Piedmont’s Most Delicious Rare Varieties

Timorasso, Derthona, Walter Massa
View Post
  • 5 min
  • Rare Varieties

Timorasso – From Nearly Extinct to Cult Classic

slarina, Italian red wine, Monferrato
View Post
  • 3 min
  • Rare Varieties

Slarina: Almost Extinct Age Worthy Red Wines in Monferrato

Grignolino from Monferrato
View Post
  • 5 min
  • Rare Varieties

Grignolino – A Rebellious Yet Noble Red Variety in Monferrato

Nascetta, Piedmont, white wine
View Post
  • 4 min
  • Rare Varieties

Nascetta – A Rare Variety Making Memorable Wines in Piemonte

Ferraris Ruché
View Post
  • 6 min
  • Rare Varieties
  • Wineries

Discover Ruché with Ferraris Agricola

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Discover Your Digital Marketing Flavor Profile

Winery digital marketing, wine social media marketing, winery brand messaging
about

About

Hi, I’m Nikki. Welcome to Palm & Vine – a wine blog for the adventurous at heart. Allow me to guide you into the world of wine, help you create unforgettable wine pairings, and inspire your wine travels to far off destinations. I can’t wait to savor, sip, and wander together.
Read More

Let’s Connect!

Free resources
Subscribe & Get Access To My Exclusive Digital Wine Resource Library!
Marketing by
ActiveCampaign

Rare Varieties

  • Freisa, italian wine, red wine, piedmont, piemonte italy
    • Rare Varieties

    Freisa – A Rare Italian Red Related to Nebbiolo

      • Rare Varieties
    View Post
  • Roero, Arneis, Piedmont Italy, Italian wine, wine region
    • Rare Varieties

    Arneis: Piedmont’s Great White Italian Wine

      • Rare Varieties
    View Post
  • Verduno Pelaverga, Piedmont, Cuneo
    • Rare Varieties

    Pelaverga a.k.a. One of Piedmont’s Most Delicious Rare Varieties

      • Rare Varieties
    View Post
  • Timorasso, Derthona, Walter Massa
    • Rare Varieties

    Timorasso – From Nearly Extinct to Cult Classic

      • Rare Varieties
    View Post
  • slarina, Italian red wine, Monferrato
    • Rare Varieties

    Slarina: Almost Extinct Age Worthy Red Wines in Monferrato

      • Rare Varieties
    View Post

Watch Wine Masters TV

wine masters TV, wine documentary, learn about wine, wine movies, gaja, mastroberardino, antinori, italian wine, french wine, spanish wine

Instagram

If you’re a wine brand or business struggling with digital marketing and breaking through the noise on social media, I get it.
If you’re slinging wine, then you need to know how to write about it! Nothing groundbreaking, but at the very least you should be able to write enticing tasting notes...
📣📣 Calling all wine brands, wineries, wine shops, and wine businesses! I'm excited to share something I've been cooking up for you...
✨ Save this post for a must-try restaurant for the next time you find yourself in 📍Nuoro, Sardegna…
Are you ready to visit one of the world's most renowned wine regions with me?
Feels like it’s time for a little reintroduction 😊
Follow

Posts You’ll Love

  • aromas in wine, wine tasting, red wine aromas, primary aromas
    Aromas in Wine: 25 of the Most Common Wine Aromas Explained
  • Adelaida Vineyards & Winery
    Exclusive Look Inside Adelaida Vineyards & Winery
  • Bud Break in Burgundy
    Bud Break, Flowering & Fruit Set – Nature’s Gift to Wine Lovers
  • Cannonau
    Sardinian Cannonau is a Global Contender
  • Vernaccia di Oristano
    Vernaccia di Oristano – Sardinia’s Most Fascinating Wine
Palm & Vine Wine Blog

Copyright © 2023 Palm & Vine.
All Rights Reserved.
 

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Disclaimer

Featured Categories

Crostini Appetizer
Food & Wine
53 Posts
View Posts
Yarra Valley Wine Region
Musings
21 Posts
View Posts
Veraison Grapes
Rare Varieties
51 Posts
View Posts
Palm & Vine
Tastings & Events
19 Posts
View Posts
winemaking, wine country, wine region, vineyards
Wine
23 Posts
View Posts
Adelaida Vineyards & Winery
Wineries
35 Posts
View Posts
Vigne Surrau Barrel Room
World of Wine
38 Posts
View Posts
If you’re a wine brand or business struggling with digital marketing and breaking through the noise on social media, I get it.
If you’re slinging wine, then you need to know how to write about it! Nothing groundbreaking, but at the very least you should be able to write enticing tasting notes...
📣📣 Calling all wine brands, wineries, wine shops, and wine businesses! I'm excited to share something I've been cooking up for you...
✨ Save this post for a must-try restaurant for the next time you find yourself in 📍Nuoro, Sardegna…
Are you ready to visit one of the world's most renowned wine regions with me?
Feels like it’s time for a little reintroduction 😊
Subscribe & Get Access To My Exclusive Digital Wine Resource Library!
Marketing by
ActiveCampaign

Copyright © 2023 Palm & Vine.
All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Disclaimer

Free resources

Pinterest Profile

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

This website uses cookies to function and to track how you interact with the website. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Read More Cookie settings Accept
Cookie Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser, as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Analytics

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

Performance

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

Advertisement

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

 

Loading Comments...