White Grape · Basilicata
Malvasia Bianca di Basilicata is the indigenous white grape of Lucania, the backbone of Matera DOC Bianco and Spumante (minimum 70%) and a steady presence in Basilicata IGT, Grottino di Roccanova DOC and Terre dell'Alta Val d'Agri DOC.
Distinct from the aromatic Malvasias of Candia and Lipari, it expresses delicate citrus and orchard fruit on volcanic and calcareous soils.
1
Denominations
Citrusy fruit
Apple blossom
Pear
Apple
Wet stones
Lemon
Serve
8–10°C
Decant
No
Glass
Standard White Wine Glass
Drink Within
2–3 days
Cellar
1–3 years
Discover the Italian wine denominations where Malvasia Bianca di Basilicata plays a starring role.
Italy's smallest southern producer, where Aglianico ripens late on the volcanic cones of Mount Vulture and Matera's tufa cellars age the country's most under-priced age-worthy reds.
Malvasia Bianca di Basilicata is an indigenous Lucanian white, documented in the region since the eighteenth century and almost certainly carried south by Greek and Byzantine settlers along with the wider Malvasia family. Its parentage is unknown and its identity is genetically distinct from the aromatic Malvasias of Candia and Lipari and from the Malvasia Bianca Lunga of central Italy, with which it has often been confused. Plantings have collapsed from roughly 900 hectares in 2000 to about 32 hectares of designated vineyard by 2016.
The variety thrives between 300 and 600 metres on the calcareous-clayey and marly soils of the Potentino foothills around Acerenza, Maschito, Oppido Lucano and Genzano di Lucania, and on the limestone benches of the eastern Materano. Bunches are conical and moderately compact, berries are golden yellow with succulent pulp, and ripening lands between mid-September and early October. Beyond Basilicata IGT, it is the principal grape of Matera Bianco DOC and Matera Spumante DOC at a minimum of seventy per cent, and is also authorised in Grottino di Roccanova DOC and Terre dell'Alta Val d'Agri DOC.
Most producers vinify the grape as a dry still wine in stainless steel, with brief sur-lie ageing where extra texture is wanted. The result is pale straw with greenish reflections, a delicate nose of citrus, pear, apple and white flowers brushed by wild herbs, a linear medium-light palate and a saline, lightly mineral finish. Cantina di Venosa's Verbo Malvasia Bianca is the widest commercial reference; some growers around Matera also work the grape into spumante Charmat for an aperitivo style.
No. Despite morphological similarity that has caused historical confusion, Malvasia Bianca di Basilicata is a genetically distinct, autochthonous Lucanian variety. Its profile is gentler and more savoury than the perfumed Malvasia di Candia or the dessert-style Malvasia di Lipari, and it is grown almost exclusively within Basilicata.
Pale straw with greenish reflections, a delicate nose of citrus, pear, apple and white flowers tinged with wild herbs, and a medium-light, brisk palate that finishes dry with a saline mineral lift. It is fresh rather than aromatic in the manner of other Malvasias.
Lucanian cucina povera. Try it with peperoni cruschi pasta, baccalà arracanato, fave e cicoria, fried zucchini flowers and the local Pecorino di Filiano DOP. The wine's saline finish also handles seafood from the Ionian coast and the freshwater fish of Lago di Monticchio.
Almost exclusively in Basilicata. The historic vineyards sit between 300 and 600 metres on the calcareous-clayey and marly hills of the Potentino district around Acerenza, Maschito, Oppido Lucano and Genzano di Lucania, and on the limestone benches of the eastern Materano. Total designated area dropped from about 900 hectares in 2000 to roughly 32 hectares by 2016.
It is the principal white grape of Matera Bianco DOC and Matera Spumante DOC, where it must make up at least seventy per cent of the blend. It is also authorised in Basilicata IGT, Grottino di Roccanova DOC and Terre dell'Alta Val d'Agri DOC. Cantina di Venosa's Verbo Malvasia Bianca is the most widely distributed example.
No. The grape is almost always vinified dry in stainless steel for fresh, savoury whites, and is also used for dry Matera Spumante DOC made by the Charmat method. Sweet or passito styles are unusual; for those, look to Malvasia di Lipari instead.
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14 wines
6 denominations
