Malvasia di Bosa is a wine that conquers.
History tells us. It has the color of gold, an unmistakable fragrance, as intense as that of the sea.
It's a meditation wine that, in its such distinctive qualities, holds memories that are centuries old.
A story that goes beyond the Planargia territory, and reaches from far and wide to embrace the entire Mediterranean.
The origins of the grape variety
It was in the Middle Ages: Malvasia became one of the most renowned wines.
Produced mainly on the Greek islands of Crete and Rhodes, the Venetians are credited with using
the appellation to refer to sweet, alcoholic wines from the eastern regions of the Mediterranean.
The grape variety is native to the town of Monemvasia (o Monobasia), on the southwestern coast of the Peloponnese.
It's said that Monobasia had a harbor, protected by a high rock overhanging the sea, with a very narrow entrance
that was difficult to conquer. In 1248 a Greek prince, in order to conquer the fortress, asked for help from the Venetians,
who stayed there and pushed inland. The Venetians quickly learned to appreciate Malvasia, and set up an intense trade
by transplanting the vine to Crete, their possession since 1204, the time of the Crusades.
In short, from Greece the vine would have traveled on the ships of Venetian merchants,
reaching our shores; perhaps up the Temo river.
The arrival in Sardinia
According to historians, the most truthful hypothesis is that the grape variety was brought to the island
long before the Venetians' assault on the Greek fortress, dating as far back as the V-VI century AD,
just after the fall of the Roman Empire..
Most likely it arrived in Sardinia through the landing places of Bosa and Calaris:
in fact, to this day it is more widespread in the Campidano of Cagliari and, above all, in the hills of the Planargia,
its terrain of choice.
Malvasia Today
The name "Malvasia di Bosa" indicates one of the very first DOCs in Italy and coincides with the municipalities of Bosa,
Suni, Flussio, Magomadas, Modolo, Tinnura and Tresnuraghes, all in the province of Oristano.
The vine's growing area is restricted to a few dozen hectares, which is also why Malvasia di Bosa
has historically been considered noble and elite, a wine reserved for great occasions since ancient times.
Precious wine to share
Golden and elegant. Malvasia di Bosa wine is like a jewel to show to special people.
An ancient and noble oxidative wine, rich in history that has been intertwined for many centuries
with the trade routes Mediterranean of the Near East. A symbol of hospitality and friendship and,
because of this, a valued companion to desserts and life's important moments.
Malvasia as an identity metaphor of ancient - and contemporary - peoples who made this wine the gift of hospitality,
the most precious of products whose use was synonymous with important events:
births, deaths, unions, festivals and religious rites.
A wine made for deep breaths, carrying with it a long history.
The thousand facets of Malvasia wine
This variety of Malvasia differs from similar wines produced in other regions of Italy in that it has a
delicate scent and a slightly bitter aftertaste that allows it to excel especially when paired with desserts.
It's characterized by a particular brilliance and sensory notes of ripe fruit, honey and roasted almonds.
The golden hues are given to it by a maturation that takes place in drained barrels that allow the formation of
"flor" yeasts, capable of giving sweet and aromatic notes, and the extraordinary ability to withstand long aging well.
Food pairings
Traditionally nestled among meditation wines, it is mainly used as a dessert wine.
It goes perfectly with the flavor of traditional Sardinian sweets and is the ideal accompaniment to amaretti
(bitter almond paste sweets) and other preparations made with almonds, candied fruit and dried fruit.
We also suggest pairings with herbed cheeses, roe and quality dark chocolate.
However, in the young version, that is, aged less than two years, it can also be offered as an aperitif.
The perfect pairing undoubtedly comes from the pleasantness of sipping it with those few, but right people.
[...] After coffee, I poured everyone a small glass of Malvasia di Bosa. [...]
Fabio Volo - in the book "Tutto è quì per te" in 2023
“God is not standing with a club behind you, but is in front of you with a glass of Malvasia”.
Martin Lutero - 15th century German theologian
«Duke of Clarence's killer threatens, 'I'll drown you in a barrel of Malvasia'”.
And it was in a vat of Malvasia that George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence, ended his days,
secretly drowned by two assassins during the War of the two Roses»."
William Shakespeare - In the historical drama "Life and Death of King Richard III", 1591