The first mentions of Malmsey wine occur in the Russian chronicles of the 10th century. Throughout the next two centuries it was one of leaders of export products. Wine replaced "Cahors wine" in churches, and then extended worldwide.
On a legend, wine keeps the name from the region Malevizi where grapes grew. Its most sweet grade was called as Malmsli. Other version sends researchers of origin of drink to the Byzantine fortress of Monamvasiya. She in antiquity settled down on the island of Crete. According to some information, sources of origin of the name should be looked for in Spain.
History
After the first mention of "Malmsey" in domestic chronicles within two hundred years it was the only wine drink in Russia. In Christian ceremonies the wine delivered from Crete replaced cahors wine. The wine, most ancient in the world, on all planet extended from the Aegean coast.
The first refined drink was opened by the Venetian dealers. Its triumphal procession along Europe also began with their light hand. By the beginning of the XV century the rod was taken out on the island of Madeira. From its fruits began to produce the Madeira possessing remarkable sweet aftertaste there. Distribution bypassed the Canary Islands, the countries of the New and Old World.
White "Malmsey" was appreciated on the continent by both merchants, and aristocrats, and monarchical persons. Among the last there were Charles III and Peter I. Such recognition promoted the European recognition of wine with the amazing name. Thanks to quickly growing popularity of a product the merchants got quite good profits on its realization. It became the reason of emergence of fakes.
Especially the "malmsey" produced on Madeira suffered from them. However and other persons interested to be enriched didn't lag behind. All sweet wines delivered from Greece fell under the name. Later so began to call alcohol from Moldova and Bulgaria. Can distinguish fakes from the original only those who at least once tried the real product, the nectar chosen by gods.
Versions
The grade of grapes used in production received the greatest distribution on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The local climate didn't influence berries at all, so, there was invariable also an extraordinary taste of drink from them. Many judges consider perfection refinement and exoticism of nectar.
The grade "malmsey" grows also in the United States, both in Spain, and in Switzerland, and in France, and in Brazil, and in Portugal. Under the branded name grades united "klert", "vermentino", "бурбуленк" and "malms". Well proved also multiple subspecies of grades from gentle-green to saturated dark red.
Experts don't leave work on selection of a rod. It is explained by prevalence of drink of a popular type. The climate reigning to the Mediterranean well affected quality of berries. They sated a ready-made product with pleasant aroma, taste and color.
The main types of "Malmsey" call wines:
- sparkling;
- volcanic;
As the popularity and authoritativeness of the brand are won by it on all planet, wine makers were engaged in production of sparkling option.
Sparkling
The Cantine Quattro Valli company became one of the most famous producers. For production berries are picked manually. Champanization takes place in special tanks.
The grapes growing on belonging company "Kantine Kvatro Valli" in Aemilia Romagna became raw materials for production sparkling "to Mastro Binelli Semidolche Malmsey". It is made in the traditional way of champanization.
As a result the sweet drink with delicate taste having peach and apricot aroma turns out. Most often such wine is used during the friendly or romantic dates.
Volcanic
Volcanic wine is considered one of the most popular. Production its very labor-consuming therefore also the cost of the final product is very high. Preservatives don't add to products. Eventually such product is oxidized. Carry the Canary wine to special variations. It is more demanded in the countries of the archipelago.
Make it in limited quantities. Therefore tourists can get a bottle as a souvenir to Tenerife or to buyers in exclusive wine boutiques of Europe. The rod delivered to Crete from Greece perfectly took root, having complemented with pleasant notes drink.
For each local vineyard the separate stone cradle protecting berries from precipitation and wind gusts is taken away. This show looks fascinating.
Madeira
Grapes and on the island of Madeira took root. In honor of the territory one more kind of great drink received the name. The wine produced here was produced only for a table of governors of Portugal. Sweet Madeira is appreciated throughout five centuries. Gathering berries for production is also conducted manually step by step. Then the first light extraction is carried out.
So receive "Pigno". Its main feature is long aftertaste. Then raw materials were pressed several times, bottled. For 85% consisting of the wine drink produced from malmsey raw materials wine went to a long trip. Thanks to it flavor profiles improved.
Maintain such product within 5-6 years. The this term longer, the is higher quality. The forty-year endurance is inherent in some grades of Madeira. Time only improves drink. Earlier tart and unusually sated on taste nectar was so unusual that it belonged to the category of liqueur.
Modern production technologies significantly became simpler. Thanks to emergence of new types of raw materials the output increased. The products differ in an almond fine aroma and a flower and fruit bouquet.
How to drink
In the cost plan wine is available to gourmets. The price varies depending on purpose of a product. Monohigh-quality wine in collection bottles is stored in vinoteka. Such product is estimated much above, than the products delivered in shops.
Produce "Malmsey" of winery of Italy, America, Croatia and Slovenia, the Canary Islands and Greece. Each producer keeps the secrets. However desire to keep traditional quality of drink and to improve new versions it unites all producers, enriching a flavoring bouquet.
Table, dessert, fortified, white and red make wines of raw materials. As "Malmsey" traditionally white, a product perfectly approaches the seafood forming the basis of the Mediterranean kitchen. The brand is perfectly combined with cheeses, light salads and other snack.
It is accepted to drink nectar of their special glasses slightly cooled with small drinks, savouring taste and enjoying qualities. It is impossible to describe the product made in Crete, in a few words. All experts on elite wines fully have to estimate its flavoring advantages.
It is desirable to present a product as a gift. The drink acquired by the consumer for itself will decorate any celebration, shading taste of desserts from a biscuit, nuts, fruit. It perfectly will approach also as digestive. Wine in an effective bottle not luscious.
In responses of experts the use of the Greek or Italian nectar under noise of the waves running on the coast in the homeland of a rod under tender sunshine is recommended. Everything, tried made from the oldest grade nectar note its amazing aroma and perfect taste.
In it special sweetish vanilla notes are heard. Therefore the aroma is associated with fresh pastries. Considerably also presence of fruit sounding. Taste of today's wine soft, moderately harmonious and sweet, enveloping.