Malvasia
Malvasía is a grape variety also grown in Bierzo, but not among the main. Wines produced with Malvasía are very aromatic with a sweet and pleasant mouthfeel. However, it’s mainly used to produce sweet, fortified and wines aged in oak as well as sparkling wines. Compared to others, Malvasía is not very productive. Its bunches are rather big and its berries medium-sized with a golden yellowish colour. Malvasía is specially comfortable with mild climates as it suffers when conditions get too dry or rainfall is abundant. It’s a delicate variety not resistant to downy mildew, botrytis, mites, grape moth and powdery mildew.
AMPELOGRAPHIC DETAILS |
YOUNG SHOOTS
Distribution of anthocyanin pigmentation (shoot tips) | High |
Fuzz (or hair) density (shoot tips) | Low |
SHOOTS
Growth | Semi-creeping |
Back side internode colour | Green with red lines |
Internodes fuzz (or hair) density | Almost none |
In August, shoots turn to yellowish brown (rather thick with poor ramification and grooved) |
TENDRILS
Length | Long |
VINE STOCK
Vigour | Vigorous, but not very productive |
Growth | Semi-creeping |
Budbreak | Early |
Ripening | Early |
ADULT LEAF
Size | Medium to large |
Leaf blade shape | Pentagonal (with 7 lobes) |
Swelling on the upper side | Almost not curved (slightly towards the upper side) |
Serrations (shape and length) | Rather big, convex and mucronate |
Petiolar sinus shape | V-shaped (widely open) |
Petiole (shape and colour) | Rather short (almost no pigmentation) |
Anthocyanin pigmentation of underside main veins | Pale green |
FOLIAR SINUS | |
Fuzz (or hair) density between veins (bent hairs) | Low |
Fuzz (or hair) density between veins (upright hairs) | Low |
BUNCH / CLUSTER
Size and compactness | Medium to large and tight (pyramid shape)l Rather uniform berries |
Petiole length | Very short |
BERRY
Size | Medium |
Shape | Spherical slightly elliptic |
Point of rupture | Clearly apparent |
Skin colour and thickness | Thin and green with golden yellowish nuances |
Anthocyanin pigmentation of flesh | None |
Special flavours | Aromatic, sweet and juicy |
Pedicel detachment | Easy |
Seeds | Yes |
Main colour (without visible surface bloom) | Green with golden yellowish tones |
