Malvasia, also known as Malvazia, is a group of wine grape varieties grown historically in the Mediterranean region, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands and the island of Madeira, but now grown in many of the winemaking regions of the world. In the past, the names Malvasia, Malvazia, and Malmsey have been used interchangeably for Malvasia-based wines; however, in modern oenology, "Malmsey" is now used almost exclusively for a sweet variety of Madeira wine made from the Malvasia grape. Grape varieties in this family include Malvasia bianca, Malvasia di Schierano, Malvasia negra, Malvasia nera, Malvasia nera di Brindisi, Malvasia di Candia aromatica, Malvasia odorosissima, and a number of other varieties.
Malvasia grapes on the vine
Bottles of Malvazija istarska (Istrian Malvasia) quality wine
Malvasia and Trebbiano grapes going through the drying process to produce Vin Santo
A Malmsey Madeira made from the white Malvasia Candida grape. The dark color comes from the aging process.
Madeira is a fortified wine made on the Portuguese Madeira Islands, off the coast of Africa. Madeira is produced in a variety of styles ranging from dry wines which can be consumed on their own, as an apéritif, to sweet wines usually consumed with dessert. Cheaper cooking versions are often flavoured with salt and pepper for use in cooking, but these are not fit for consumption as a beverage.
Madeira wine
John Hancock whose boat seizure after unloading a cargo of 25 pipes of Madeira caused riots in Boston.
Vineyard growing among other cultures in the tropical influenced climate near Santana, Madeira.
Malvasia (also known as Malmsey or Malvazia) grape variety.