'Istrska malvazija' is a traditional grapevine variety in the Primorska winegrowing region, where it presents, taking into account all white varieties, the main variety. It is cultivated on 967.7 ha, more than a half of all vineyards areas are located in Slovenska Istra winegrowing district. However, the variety is cultivated also in Croatia and Italy. Due to several varieties and wines with the denomination “malvasia”, the origin of the variety is still uncertain. The most suitable training system for the variety is sylvoz, but in Slovenia most of the vines 'Istrska malvazija' are trained on single guyot and casarsa. Due to the high vigour and fertility of the variety, several agro-ampelotechnic measures have to be conducted in order to achieve higher grape and wine quality. With early defoliation, when the berries are in the size of millet grains, an increase of the yield is expected. After defoliation at veraison, higher pH, lower acidity and higher sugar contents in grape are expected, in comparison to the grapes from vines without defoliation. The average grape quality of the 'Istrska malvazija' can be characterised by soluble solids content 20.5 °Brix, total acidity between 5.0 and 8.0 g/l and pH 3.47. Istrska malvazija wine has an average of 12.8 % vol. of alcohol, between 5.3 and 6.2 g/l of total acidity, pH between 3.3 and 3.5 and the content of total extract around 22.8 g/l. The grape of 'Istrska malvazija' is used for the production of still, dry, sweet and also sparkling wines, which is traditionally exploited by winegrowers and winemakers.
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