The Malvasia di Schierano grape variety is primarily found in Piedmont, with cultivation concentrated in the province of Turin, and it is the main component of the Malvasia di Castelnuovo Don Bosco DOC. In the production of this wine, small amounts of Freisa can be added. The color of the wine tends towards cherry red, and it is generally vinified as a sweet wine. It is also made in a slightly sparkling version and a sparkling version. Malvasia di Schierano is one of the aromatic black-berried Malvasia varieties, although its aromaticity is lower than that of Malvasia di Casorzo. The Malvasia di Schierano grape variety, like other black-berried Malvasias, belongs to the family of grape varieties whose name “Malvasia” derives from Monembasia, a Byzantine stronghold in the south of the Peloponnese, where sweet wines were produced and later exported throughout Europe by the Venetians.

In a document from those years, a wine called “malvaticus” is mentioned, which was the black-berried Malvasia, produced in Cyprus and also traded in Piedmont. In 1468, in Mondonio, now a hamlet of Castelnuovo Don Bosco, the first mention of a Malvasia nera vineyard was recorded. The Malvasia di Schierano grape variety presents medium-small, conical clusters, rarely winged and compact. The berries are medium-large, with a layer of bloom on the bluish skins with violet reflections. Malvasia di Schierano is a moderately vigorous grape variety, with average and consistent yields. It is best cultivated using the espalier training system with Guyot pruning. Malvasia di Schierano is generally vinified in purity or with small percentages of Freisa, to produce sweet red wines with cherry colors, often slightly sparkling or fully sparkling. The wine produced is aromatic, like the grape variety from which it derives, with beautiful intense aromas and a sweet taste. The aromas of Malvasia di Schierano are generally of must or small red fruits, with a light and fresh body. Its wine pairs excellently with dry pastries, as well as with puddings and small chocolate cream pastries, such as the classic Piedmontese gianduiotti. In Piedmont, it is included not only in Malvasia di Castelnuovo Don Bosco DOC but also in the Colline Torinesi DOC and other local IGT designations.