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Malvasia Wine for Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to wine
About Malvasia
Malvasia is a category for certain varieties of red or white grapes with unique characteristics well suited for dessert, dining, and cooking wines. Originally from the Mediterranean, but now grown throughout the world, Malvasia grapes are from a family of vines with fruits ranging from red to pale green. Each type has its own taste and aroma profile.
Winegrowers primarily grow Malvasia grapes in Italy. However, Malvasia grapes, both white and red, originated in ancient Greece around the border of Turkey. Venetian merchants brought Malvasia grapes from Greece to Italy. Other places where winegrowers grow this grape are Slovenia, the Iberian Peninsula, the Canary Islands, and the island of Madeira. California, Arizona, and New Mexico are areas where winegrowers harvest the grape in America. Australia and Brazil are other areas where winegrowers grow Malvasia.
Terroir is important for Malvasia grapes. With any grape variety, specific climate, sunshine, rain, and soil of an area create ideal growing conditions. The ideal conditions for Malvasia grapes are dry. Adjusted best to warmth, Malvasia grapes and vines prefer hot climates and arid soil with well-drained slopes.
Winegrowers consider Malvasia grapes to be moderately productive, reliable, and hardy vines. Malvasia Bianca, for example, can survive in areas where other grape varieties are more susceptible to spring frost injuries. Its late bud break protects it from the ice scourge from which early blooming grapes perish. However, Malvasia Bianca tends to grow in compact clusters, increasing its susceptibility to bunch rots. Practicing fruit ventilation, giving vines ample sunshine, and avoiding planting in shaded areas are growing techniques to help to preserve Malvasia's flavor and aroma. The winemakers who create Malvasia ferment the wine in oak barrels. This gives the wine a sweet honey, raisin, and dried fruit taste.
Types of Malvasia
Malvasia wines are typically divided into red (Malvasia Nera) and white (Malvasia Bianca) wines. Depending on the Malvasia subtype, taste and wine acidity will vary.
- Malvasia Nera: the red (or black) type, has a floral bouquet of dried roses. Candied red currant and orange peel with plum provide fruit notes. Earthy scents such as the pine aroma of forest floor, dark chocolate, Moroccan spice, baking spices, and black tea are subtle undertones for this variety.
- Malvasia Bianca: this lighter-colored type has floral tastes of jasmine and honeysuckle and fruit taste of ripe pears, peaches, and citrus. A spice note in this grape is star anise and honey. These grapes are light-tasting and crisp with low acidity and mild tannins. Blended with other wines, the white variety adds aromatics and the freshness of fruit such as apricot, gooseberry, and pineapple. Vanilla, butterscotch, and toasted almond with caramel and ginger characterizes blends. Notes of nutmeg and molasses also characterize this wine.
How to buy the right Malvasia wine
The Malvasia wine you should buy depends on the food you serve, because at the outset, Malvasia Bianca and Malvasia Nera go with different foods.
- Malvasia Bianca (white) pairs well with hearty dishes. Many comfort and fine dining dishes suit Malvasia Bianca, as does Cajun fish, BBQ, cannelloni, Creole, and crab cakes. Any poultry usually can match, but spicy chicken and egg dishes are especially fitting, as are Asian dishes such as Gyoza, Moo shu pork, Pad thai, Sweet and sour pork, and Wonton soup. Smoked ham and Gruyère cheese are delectable, while dishes such as Waldorf salad are lighter fare you could pair with Bianca. Grilled fish and shellfish, braised rabbit, or salt cod are interesting proteins to try with this wine.
- Malvasia Nera (red) pairs well with tomato-based dishes. As a dry, sweet wine with low acidity levels, spicy food or fried rice is also a wonderful match. Cheeses, salad, cabbage, and chocolate are also delicious with this wine. Definitely use Malvasia Nera with desserts or in preparing desserts, especially those using honey.
Malvasia Near Me
Buy your favorite Malvasia online with Instacart. Order Malvasia from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about Malvasia
Over time, some wine bottle corks lead to quick wine deterioration with cork taint. Cork taint is an unpleasant tasting organic substance from microorganisms growing on the cork material (bark) and getting into the wine. Sometimes these microorganisms take over the cork and can even spread to other corks. Try to pick screw caps or synthetic cork bottles if you can, and always store wine properly.
Storing Malvasia correctly depends on whether the wine is white or red. You should store red Malvasia wines as any red wine: between 45-65°F (8°C and 18°C), ideally at 55°F (12°C). As for storing white Malvasia, wine experts suggest a temperature ranging from 55-65°F is ideal. Do not store wine in an ordinary refrigerator because refrigerators are too cold.
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