Malmsey

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Name of varietal: Malmsey

Common synonyms: Malvoisie, Malvasia, Malvasia Istriana, Malvazia, Monemvasia

Parentage of the grape: thought to be indigenous to Greece

History of the grape: Malvasia is one of those rabbit-like vines that likes to procreate, often spontaneously. For this reason, there are dozens of clones and subspecies derived from the original, and it comes in both red and the much more common white. It is believed to have originated in Greece as Monemvasia, and was brought to Italy by the Romans, from where it spread most notably to Spain, France, Portugal and Croatia.

In most places in Europe, it has an often unbilled role in blends and bulk wines, though some more sophisticated productions exist and are worth looking out for. In Italy, it is vinified in the north as a single varietal in dry white wines as Malvasia Istriana. It is also one of the grapes used in Vin Santo fortified wine.

The British started calling the grape “Malmsey” when they established their longstanding relationship with Portuguese viticulture. It is one of the main wines in Madeira, the famous “cooked” fortified wine from the island, which has been produced in some form as far back as the 15th century. It used to be stored in ship ballasts and warmed on purpose during the journey back and forth to the Americas until someone figured out how to process it more elegantly in a stationary cask later on. It was supposedly the foil for the Duke of Clarence, Brother of Edward VI, who died drowning “in a butt of Malmsey wine.” And there are references to it in many of Shakespeare’s plays. For more information, please see: Madeira

Madeira was imported to the American colonies, and is said to have been the wine used to toast the Declaration of Independence. But the vines also made their way to the New World for planting, where it is often a blending grape in jug wines in both the US and Australia. More recently, vintners are appreciating its aromatic qualities and releasing it in more distinguished bottlings.

Characteristics of the grape: the white species is medium-bodied, aromatic, white peaches, white flowers, white pepper, fresh thyme. As fortified wine, it takes on more nutty, toffee-like properties, with flavors of dried and fresh dates, figs, apricots, almonds and burnt sugar, with a mineral backbone.

Regions where the grape is currently important: Portugal (and most especially Madeira), Italy, Spain, Croatia, Slovenia, Corsica, California, Australia and Brazil.

Type or types of wines the grape produces: dry white, sweet late harvest dessert, fortified (Madeira, Vin Santo)

Photo by Fabio Ingrosso via Wikimedia Commons/CC

– Description from Amanda Schuster (hide)

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Malmsey on Snooth

April 2013

Broadbent 10 Year Old Malmsey Madeira

Snoothrank:

This is a wine that will last you a while! it has very big flavor, like chocolate and wood. The fruits are orange-like and bright, perhaps with some age to them. Read More

Wine review by LaCiCaDa
March 2013

Henriques & Henriques White Blend Madeira Finest Medium Rich, 5 Years Old NV

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by martins2002
January 2013

The Rare Wine Co. Historic Series New York Malmsey Special Reserve NV

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by Barberolo
October 2012

With the help of instantaneous search results, anyone can pick out a good $100 ... dry to full and sweet. The Malmsey style is rich and sweet with fig, raisin and caramel flavors and is reminiscent of a 20- or 30-year-old Tawny Port. Madeira (Malmsey), The Rare Wine Company "New York Malmsey", N/V 3. Trade Sauternes for MonbazillacSure, we... Read More

From the article Insider (Wine) Trading
Nov 22, 2011

just bought blandy's 10 yr old in portugal. what type of wine glass? serve with chocolates nuts. can i serve cheese and crackers?

Comment by 978612gammyo4 978612
July 2011

Blandy's 5 Year Old Malmsey Madeira

Snoothrank:

Good with bitter chocolate Read More

Wine review by nics9
February 2011

Miles Madeira Malmsey 10 Year Old

Snoothrank:

This wine has an excellent balance of sweetness and acidity. It displays delicious flavors of grilled nuts, caramel, brown sugar, and minerality. This wine is complex and balanced. Read More

Wine review by Whitetigerofwine
February 2011

Miles Madeira Malmsey 10 Year Old

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by Whitetigerofwine
January 2011

The Rare Wine Co. New York Malmsey Bottle NV

Snoothrank:

tasting now. feels lighter, more burnt than a blandy's 15yo Bual. closer to ... to ... product).(re Bual v. Malmsey - any comments on how off the track I might be in my considerations Read More

Wine review by JTG01
November 2010

Justino Henriques Malmsey 1933

Snoothrank:

If you really want to know the full potential of Madeira wines, this is the place to start. The 5 and 10-year old wines are nice, but I don't think they quite fully portray the power and finesse that Madeira has....certainly not like this.Deep reddish brown with a tan rim. On the nose a lot of toffee and spice with some allspice and caramel no... Read More

Wine review by BougeBoy
July 2010

Broadbent 10 Year Malmsey Madeira NV

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by steph999

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