Grape variety and grafted vine plant Malvasia Nera: all the secrets

Malvasia Nera

Due to its simple flavor, this variety should not be considered as the other Malvasias, which all originated in the East. It is mainly grown in Apulia, in the provinces of Lecce, Taranto and Brindisi.

CULTIVATED AREA IN ITALY*

YEAR	1970	1982	1990	2000	2010
HECTARES	6.215	9.114	6.952	5.592	2.000

*Malvasia Nera, Malvasia Nera di Brindisi and Malvasia Nera di Lecce

Bud-burst period: everage.
Ripening period: everage.
Yield good and constant, both when grown in a “tendone” system and with other training systems, including short pruning.

Ampelographic characters:

this variety is quite homogeneous, and the main differences often (mistakenly) refer to other Malvasia varieties. In within the variety the biotypes only differ in cluster shape. The bud has an expanded apex and is cottony, yellowish-white with pinkish shades. The leaves are large, pentagonal, five-lobed, thick and smooth, of a dark green colour, with very little tomentum. The petiolar sinus is closed and lyre shaped. The underside is arachnoid. The medium-large, semi-compact, truncated, cone-shaped cluster doesn’t have very evident wings. The berry, medium-large in size, is spheroid shaped and dark blue in color and fairly easy to detach. The skin is thin and pruinose, with a fleshy pulp and a simple flavour.

Cultural aptitude:

moderately vigorous vine with an upright growth habit. It has robust, branched shoots, medium-short internodes and a luxuriant vegetation. It prefers medium-textured, even fertile soils, provided they are not excessively calcareous, and warm, dry environments.

Training system and pruning:

it requires fairly extensive training systems and medium-long pruning, but it adapts to short pruning as well. It also easily adaptable to systems for full mechanisation.

Susceptibility to diseases and adverse conditions:

normal, only susceptible to powdery mildew.

Enological potential:

it produces a not-too-intense ruby red wine with low acidity, high alcohol content, a vinous, agreeable and distinctive scent, dry, unobtrusive, full-bodied and velvety. It is vinified with Negro Amaro, often without pomace, to obtain fruity, savoury, very agreeable rosé wines.