Μονεμβασία- Malvasia (Monemvasia - Malvasia)

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• Sandy-clay to clay-loam soils, acidic or neutral, free of calcium carbonate — both soil types yield high acidity levels.
• Coastal climate with annual rainfall of 400–470 mm, a mean maximum temperature of 23 °C, and a mean minimum of 14 °C.
• Strong aeolian potential and exceptionally high sunshine hours owing to the geographical position on the Maleas peninsula.
• The zone is bordered to the northeast by the Myrtoan Sea and to the southwest by the Laconian Gulf.

• The name Malvasia appears in Italian sources from the 12th century onwards as a geographical designation for Μονεμβασιά.
• In 1278, the Venetian Stefano Bonus was trading vinum de Malvasia from the port of Μονεμβασιά; production is documented to predate the 13th century.

• Λιαστός γλυκός οίνος with abundant residual sugars, high acidity, and recorded aromatic precursor compounds — well suited to extended ageing.
• The soils (acidic or neutral, free of calcium carbonate) give rise to high to satisfactory acidity levels that are reflected in the organoleptic profile.

• Acidic soils (free of calcium carbonate) yield wines of high acidity; neutral soils deliver satisfactory acidity.

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.

Sources

• National product specification (PDF) — ypaat
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-GR-A1533
• Official trade body site — Monemvasia Winery (Tsimbidi)