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Grape Variety: Malvasia bianca

Variety Name	Malvasia bianca
TTB Approved Name(s)	Malvasia bianca (Moscato greco)
Common Synonyms	Moscato greco
All Synonyms	Alicante Espagnol du Dao, Blanca-roja, Blancarroga, Blanco Fino, Blanquirroja, Cagazal, Dona Branca, Früher Roter Malvasier, Iuvarella, Lavarela Verdana, Malmsey, Malvasia, Malvasia bianca del Chianti, Malvasia bianca piemonte, Malvasia Comun, Malvasia de Colares, Malvasia de la Rioja, Malvasia de Rioja, Malvasia del Lazio, Malvasia di Candia, Malvasia fina, Malvasia Puntinta, Malvasia Riojana, Malvasia Rosso, Malvasier, Malvazija, Malvazija Bela, Malvoisie, Masovy Hrozon, Monemvasia, Monemvassia, Moscato greco, Rojal, Sarga Malvazia, Suavidad, Subirat, Subirat Parent, Tobia, Toloca, Uva de Arroba, Uva Greca, Verdana, Verdana, Verdeja
Countries of Origin	Greece or Italy
Species	Vitis vinifera
References	Show 6 references Hide references Christensen, L et al. 2003. Wine Grape Varieties in California. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Publication 3419. Robinson, J. 2006. The Oxford Companion to Wine. Third edition. Oxford University Press. USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network – (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Link Vitis International Variety Catalogue (VIVC). Federal Centre for Breeding Research on Cultivated Plants (BAZ). Institute for Grapevine Breeding Geilweilerhof (IRZ). August, 2007. Link The former National Grape Registry (NGR) was initially compiled and annotated using the earlier version of the Vitis database. The VIVC underwent a significant update beginning in 2007. Corresponding updates to this Registry will be made as necessary. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Code of Federal Regulations Title 27 Part 4.91 List of approved prime names. Link Lacombe, T., J-M Boursiquot, V. Laucou, F. Dechesne, D. Vares, and P. This. 2007. Relationships and Genetic Diversity within the Accessions Related to Malvasia Held in the Domaine de Vassal Grape Germplasm Repository, Am.J.Enol.Vitic.58:1, page 124.
Berry Color	White
Uses	Table,Wine
Comments	There is ambiguity about the origin of this variety. The book Wine Grape Varieties in California (reference no. 2) indicates that 'Malvasia bianca is understood to be from the northwest coast of Italy where it is an obscure variety known there as Malvasia bianca piemonte or Moscato greco. Its origin within Italy and beyond is unknown.' Jancis Robinson (reference no.6) states that 'Malvasia is a name used widely especially in Iberia and Italy for a complex web of grape varieties, typically ancient and of Greek origin and producing characterful wines high in alcohol and often residual sugar'. She notes that the name 'Malvasia is the Italian corruption of Monemvasia, the southern Greek port which, in the Middle Ages, was a busy port' through which passed the highly-regarded dessert wines of the eastern Mediterranean.

Malvasia bianca PhotosClick photo to enlarge

Malvasia bianca Selections

Information about: Clonal Families, Selection Numbers and Registration Status

	Malvasia bianca [03]
Registration Status	Registered
Source	California vineyard (Sonoma County)
Comments	This selection came to Foundation Plant Services in the early 1960's from a vineyard in Sonoma County, California. It underwent basic index testing and was planted in the FPS foundation vineyard in 1964. A comment in the FPS database indicates that Italian ampelographer Anna Schneider believed that this selection is 'the ancient Malvasia from the Piedmont region of Italy'. Malvasia bianca 03 underwent microshoot tip tissue culture therapy in 2011 in order to qualify for planting in the Russell Ranch Foundation Vineyard. The treated material successfully completed disease testing in 2013 and will be planted at Russell Ranch as Malvasia bianca 03.1.