Malvasia Bianca Lunga is a white grape which is part of the amorphous Malvasia group of grape varieties. Malvasia Bianca Lunga constitutes a major part of Vin Santo and was included in Bettino Ricasoli’s original Chianti recipe. Since it is mostly found in Tuscany, Malvasia Bianca Lunga is also known as Malvasia del Chianti or Malvasia Bianca Lunga Toscana. A recent study confirmed it is closely related to Malvasia Istriana and Malvasia di Lipari.
Wines: Tuscany: Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC. | Vin Santo del Chianti DOC. | Also found in: Umbria, Lazio and Le Marche.
Viticulture: Malvasia Bianca Lunga has large long bunches and thick-skinned berries yet variation exists among di”erent clones and biotypes. In general, it is a variety susceptible to vine diseases.
Wine style: Its wine is delicately aromatic with soft acidity and marked salinity in contrast to the high acidity of its classic blending partner for making vin santo, Trebbiano Toscano.
Specific styles: Mostly still sweet white wine. It was blended with Sangiovese and Canaiolo Nero in earlier versions of Chianti and Chianti Classico but now is mainly blended with Trebbiano Toscano for the production of vin santo.
Key Producers: I Selvatici (Montevarchi).
Bibliography
Italian Wine Unplugged (Positive Press, 2017), p.54-5.