Malvasia

The Malvasia grape variety is ancient and fascinating. Its history is a journey through time and space, a testament to the influence of different civilizations on the world of wine. It is indeed a variety that has traversed millennia, bringing with it incredible richness: of flavors, traditions, and cultures.

We like to think of Malvasia as a witness of the past because every sip of this wine takes us back to reflect on the roots and evolution of grape varieties and wine. For Venica & Venica, the history of Malvasia is a symbol of the connection between the present and the past and a story of passion and dedication, the same story the family has been a spokesperson for for over 90 years.

The Origins of Malvasia

Among the most fascinating and suggestive grape varieties, Malvasia owes its name to the ancient Byzantine stronghold Monemvasia, in the Peloponnese, specifically in the Laconia region, whose toponym "moni emvassis" means "single exit." Monemvasia was indeed a fortified city connected to the mainland by a single strip of land. A city that the Venetians called Morea.

Venice and the Venetians played a fundamental role in the history of Malvasia. Not only did many ships depart from Monemvasia carrying and trading the wine produced in the region along the Mediterranean trade routes, but after the Fourth Crusade, the Peloponnese, along with Euboea, Cyprus, and Crete, came under Venetian control. It was then that the Serenissima's merchants realized they had come into possession of liquid gold.

The Origins of Malvasia

Venetian Malvasias

When Venetian merchants discovered Malvasia, a true predilection for the grapes and the wines they produced was born.

In reality, all wines from the East became known as Malvasia: expensive wines that Venice turned into fashionable and exclusive products.

In Venice, Malvasia ("navigated wine" from exotic places, on par with spices, silk, and fabrics) became so popular and celebrated that it became synonymous with a place where one could drink well. If these places are now called wine bars, the Venetians dedicated them as "Malvase," places for consuming this wine.

Calli, bridges, and courtyards of Malvasia

The places where one went to drink well were significantly different from both taverns and common warehouses, bastions, or samarcheto.

Places almost invested with sacredness, to the point that it is not uncommon in Venetian toponymy to find "ponte de la malvasia," "calle de la malvasia," or "corte de la malvasia," and the sons of Venetian noblemen, upon reaching the age of majority, and thus the ability to exercise political rights, would go to toast to the Malvasia of the Remedy, still perpetuated today by a bridge.

Italian Malvasias

In a short amount of time, the production of Malvasia spread outside the Republic of Venice to Greece, Dalmatia, southern France, Spain, and Portugal.

During the Renaissance, Malvasia became particularly famous in Italy, especially in Tuscany and the northern regions like Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

At the time, wine and grape classification were unknown (the first true wine classification system dates back to 1730), so every wine from grapes similar to Malvasia, whether in terms of varietals or vinification, was called by the same name or a similar one.

For this reason, there are 17 different varieties belonging to the Malvasia group in Italy: white and black grape varieties, aromatic and non-aromatic, each with its own characteristics and distinctive profiles, derived from different clones and biotypes. Among these is Malvasia Istriana.

Malvasia Istriana

Thanks to the Venetian Republic, Malvasia Istriana was brought to Italy at the beginning of the 14th century. From the historical region of the Peloponnese, this grape variety spread along the entire Adriatic: Istria, Karst, Isonzo, and Collio.

Malvasia Istriana is appreciated for its unique characteristics that make it a true oenological treasure. Its berries are of medium size and have a thin skin of greenish-yellow color.

This grape variety requires careful cultivation and precise harvesting to preserve its freshness and aromatic balance.

Wines produced with Malvasia Istriana are known for their freshness and aromatic complexity.

Venetian Malvasias

When Venetian merchants discovered Malvasia, a true predilection for the grapes and the wines they produced was born.

In reality, all wines from the East became known as Malvasia: expensive wines that Venice turned into fashionable and exclusive products.

Calli, bridges, and courtyards of Malvasia

The places where one went to drink well were significantly different from both taverns and common warehouses, bastions, or samarcheto.

Venica & Venica's Malvasia "Pètris"

Collio, along with Istria, with its Mediterranean climate tempered by the influence of the sea and its soils rich in limestone, clay, and sand, provides an ideal terroir for the cultivation of Malvasia Istriana. Sunny days and sea breezes contribute to the balanced maturation of the grapes, maintaining the freshness and liveliness of the wines.

"Pétris," the Malvasia from Venica & Venica, gets its name from the toponym of the area where the first vineyards were planted, and concerning the soil and the Ponca, it recalls the Friulian word "piere" (stones), reminding of the stoniness of the land.

Echoing the connection between the present and the past and the story of passion and dedication of which Malvasia becomes a witness, the "piere" are the same, taken from the soil, still present today in the Venica farmhouse, whose philosophy is based on the valorization of the terroir and respect for local traditions.

Venica & Venica's Malvasia has exceptional aromatic complexity. On the nose, it opens with elegant scents of white flowers, citrus, and yellow-fleshed fruit, followed by subtle hints of aromatic herbs and spices. In the mouth, it reveals vibrant freshness, pleasant acidity, and balanced structure. The long aromatic persistence provides an unforgettable finish.

Venica & Venica's passion and dedication to the production of Malvasia have led to national and international recognition. But what truly makes these wines special is the emotion they convey, their ability to tell a story with every sip: the story of the family and the story of this grape variety's journey through the centuries.

Awards

Pètris Malvasia DOC Collio

≪ When paired with the flavour of the sea in a savoury, crispy fish fry, the sweet, fruity palate of Malvasia 'Pètris' becomes 'poetry of the earth', as the great Mario Soldati would have said. ≫ This is the pleasant comment of journalist Carlo Cambi, a dear family friend, on our Malvasia 'Pètris' is the toponym of the area in which the vineyards are located.

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Pètris Malvasia DOC Collio

≪ In abbinamento al sapore del mare di una sapida e croccante frittura di pesce, il palato dolce e fruttato della Malvasia “Pètris” diventa “poesia della terra”, come avrebbe detto il grande Mario Soldati. ≫ Questo è il piacevole commento del giornalista Carlo Cambi, caro amico di famiglia, a proposito della nostra Malvasia “Pètris” è il toponimo della zona nella quale si trovano i vigneti.

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Malvasia

The Origins of Malvasia

The Origins of Malvasia

Venetian Malvasias

Calli, bridges, and courtyards of Malvasia

Italian Malvasias

Malvasia Istriana

Venetian Malvasias

Calli, bridges, and courtyards of Malvasia

Venica & Venica's Malvasia "Pètris"

Pètris Malvasia DOC Collio

Pètris Malvasia DOC Collio

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