Malvasia lunga
| Variety Passport | |
| Country of origin: | Italy |
| Variety number VIVC: | 7262 |
| Prime name: | Malvasia Bianca Lunga |
| Principal Synonyms: | Malvasia Verace, Malvasia Lunga, Malvasia Del Chianti, San Marsano, Barletta, Molfetta, Zante Bianca |
| Species: | Vitis vinifera |
| Ripening period: | Mid-season |
| Classification and Use: | Wine, Fresh consumption, Dry Table Wines |
| Resistance group: | Susceptible |
| Data Sources: | Vitis International Variety Catalogue (VIVC), Ampelografia Italiana (1879) |
| Agrobiology | |
| Vigor: | vigorous |
| Powdery mildew susceptibility: | 4 points (highly susceptible) |
| Botrytis susceptibility: | 3 points (low resistance) |
| Winter hardiness: | Low frost resistance (-18...-20°C) |
| Pruning length: | short, 2-4 buds |
| Clusters and berries | |
| Bunch shape: | cylindro-conical, winged |
| Bunch density: | dense |
| Berry shape: | rounded |
| Berry skin color: | white |
| Seed development: | seeded |
| Flesh texture: | firm / crunchy |
| Berry skin thickness: | Thick |
| Berry skin texture: | medium |
| Sugar content: | 17,3-26,6% |
| Total acidity: | 4,8-6 g/l |
| Berry Flesh Color: | Non-colored |
| Flavor type: | Neutral |
| Ampelographic overview |
Main Characteristics of Malvasia lunga Grape
The Malvasia lunga variety is an ancient Italian white wine grape widely distributed across various regions of Italy, including the provinces of Lecce, Basilicata, Foggia, Bari, and particularly within the Tuscany region (especially the Chianti valley). In Northern Italy, this variety is also cultivated under the name Zante bianca. Although the name of the Malvasia lunga grape variety is traditionally associated with perfumed, muscat-like profiles, this specific type features a simple yet pleasant sweet flavor profile completely free of muscat notes. The variety is characterized by outstanding vigor and consistent, reliable productivity, outgrowing most companion varieties in terms of shoot and berry size.
The harvest ripening period falls primarily in the third decade of September, provided the vines receive proper sunny exposure. In southern regions, such as Lecce, Malvasia lunga is capable of accumulating a substantial amount of sugar in the must—exceeding 26.6% with a low titratable acidity of approximately 0.48 g/l. Conversely, in the cooler and high-altitude zones of Basilicata, achieving complete berry ripeness can prove challenging.
Morphological Description of the Malvasia lunga Grape Variety
- Shoots: Smooth canes, medium-thick, and relatively soft when pruned. In their herbaceous state, the young shoots exhibit a beautiful green color with violet-pink striations, which become more intense at the base. In its woody state, the cane turns an attractive hazel color. The internodes are long, and the nodes are only slightly pronounced. Buds are prominent, protruding, and covered with a downy, tomentose pubescence.
- Shoot Tips: Features a pronounced downy, silky pubescence, displaying a very light, whitish-green color. Tendrils are predominantly bifid, with trifid ones occurring less frequently.
- Mature Leaf: Large in size, firm, with very sparse pubescence on the upper surface of the blade, which shows a metallic green sheen. In autumn, the leaves turn light yellow with pinkish spots. The lower surface of the leaf is covered with dense, web-like, grayish-white tomentose pubescence. The leaf blade is five-lobed with deep, regular, elliptical lateral sinuses that are closed at the margin. The petiolar sinus is elliptical, semi-closed or closed with overlapping margins. The teeth along the margin are medium-sized, serrated, with pointed or hooked tips. The petiole is of medium length, equal to the central vein, and exhibits a pinkish hue. Leaf fall occurs early.
- Bunch: Large, highly elongated, winged, pyramidal, and cylindrical at the tip. The bunch density is medium, leaning towards compact rather than loose. The herbaceous rachis features a rose-pink coloration, which transitions to green-yellow upon maturity, showing red shading at the branching points. The bunch peduncle is relatively thin and long.
- Berry: Medium to small in size, consistently round in shape. The skin is glossy, firm, thick, turning yellowish or almost golden at full ripeness, and is characterized by a very weak waxy bloom (pruine). The skin exhibits low resistance to high humidity. The pulp is firm and juicy, with a sweet, simple flavor and a subtle varietal aroma. Each berry typically contains two or three large seeds.
Viticultural Specifics of the Malvasia lunga Variety
During cultivation, the Malvasia lunga grape variety demonstrates good adaptability to various training and pruning systems; however, the best results with large, evenly ripened bunches are achieved using short cane pruning. The variety is most productive on calcareous soils in dry, warm zones. When grown in mixed-cultivation vineyards, the vines are traditionally trained up trees to their full height.
Malvasia lunga stands out for its reliable fruit set, as its early flowering period is rarely affected by late spring cold spells or frosts. The primary viticultural risk is the high susceptibility of the vine to powdery mildew (oidium), which necessitates regular and thorough preventative vineyard treatments with sulfur. In winemaking, the Malvasia lunga grape variety is highly valued as a component for softening red wines (for instance, in Chianti at a ratio of about 2/10), lending them lightness, a bright color, and a pleasant, fresh aroma. Vinified on its own, the variety is well-suited for producing dry, crisp, and high-alcohol white wines.