Monemvasia - Malvasia

Ο Malvasia wine, the Frankish name of Monemvasia, began to be produced before the 13th century in Byzantine Monemvasia and for centuries it reached all the known ports of the world by Monemvasian merchants. Especially in the Middle Ages, there was no famous salon in Europe and Russia that did not serve sweet wine. However, after the occupation of Monemvasia by the Turks in the 16th century, the vineyards were uprooted. The production was transferred to Crete where it was maintained until about 1800. For Monemvasia the historic wine which used to be an exportable product, continued to be produced in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Madeira, Croatia, California. Until recently, only in the place where it was born and which bore this name was not produced!

Critical role in developments Malvasia revival played his meeting George Tsimpidis with Mrs. Stavroula Kourakou, the great lady of Greek wine and with the same inspirer and leader, they devised a comprehensive action plan for the revival of Malvasia that lasted 14 whole years. European programs were utilized and in collaboration with the Agricultural Universities of Athens and Thessaloniki, ETHIAGE, etc., they created experimental vineyards and proceeded with experimental vinifications.

On July 23, 2010 the wines of Monemvasia - Malvasia were recognized as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for white sweet wine from sun-dried grapes and liqueur wine from sun-dried grapes of Monemvasia (50%), Kidonitsa and Asproudes and participation of Assyrtikou. Malvasia 2010 was first bottled by Monemvasia Winery and came on the market in 2013 after 2 years of aging.

«This is how the sleepy Monemvasia-Malvasia woke up after five centuries of sleep", Said George Tsimpidis.

His belt PDO Monemvasia - Malvasia includes the areas of Monemvasia, Asopos, Vion and Mola, of the southeastern tip of the regional unit of Laconia. Essentially, it is the peninsula of Epidaurus Limira and at its end, the cape full of legends and traditions "windswept" Cape Malea or Cape Malia, which together with its westernmost cape Tainaros form the Laconian Gulf. This is the newest PDO wine zone in Greece (established in 2010).

PDO Monemvasia - Malvasia is one of the newest Greek PDO wines, which was introduced in July 2010. Oxidative aging of at least 2 years is mandatory and if it is longer it must be 4 years or more than 4. Circulation is allowed specific harvest wines and the mixing of different crops with an indication of the newest. The double name "Monemvasia - Malvasia" is mandatory and uniform in form, shape and general appearance.