The red grape variety originates from Italy. Synonyms are Moscatella, Moscatella Alessandria and Moscatella Nell'Alessandria. It is one of the numerous mostly unrelated varieties with the name part Malvasia (see in detail there). Despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological or name similarities, it must not be confused with the varieties Malvasia di Casorzo, Malvasia di Schierano, Malvasia Nera di Basilicata, Malvasia Nera di Brindisi or Malvasia Rosa (mutation of Malvasia di Candia Aromatica). According to DNA analyses carried out in 2020, it comes from a presumably natural cross between Malvasia Aromatica di Parma x Freisa. The high-yielding vine is resistant to mites. In Piedmont, in the provinces of Asti and Torino, it is often grown together with Malvasia di Schierano in mixed sets and is permitted there in the DOC wines Collina Torinese and Malvasia di Castelnuovo Don Bosco. In 2016, 14 hectares of vineyards were designated in Italy (Kym Anderson statistics).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Images: M.I.P.A.F - National Vine Certification Service
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Restaurantleiter, Sommelier, Weindozent und Autor; Dresden