Malvasia, Calle, Campiello, Sotoportego della Malvasia:

in Venice many streets take their name from the aromatic sweet wine.

In the Middle Ages, Venice began its production of aromatic wine importedfrom a small town in Greece called Moni Emvasis, therefore it was called Malvasia.

Crete / Candia

After a while Venice shifted its wine production to Candia, Crete, where the climate was more favorable for the growth of wine. Moreover, the transportation of wine barrels from the island to Venice was easier.

Malvasia

By the 1500 Venice was still one of the largest Malvasia producers in Europe and maintained its monopoly until Crete was surrendered to the Ottoman Empire. Nevertheless, Venice never gave up producing it as it was the only city that had a license to export it to Europe. In order to give an example of how important this commerce was it is interesting to know that England exchanged a bale of wool for a barrel of wine.

Rialto, Riva del Vin

All types of wine, like many other goods, were discharged at the Rialto market, in Riva del Vin, and then sold to wine bars, the so-called osterie. In those bars no meals or local wine were served, just the Malvasia. I

When banquets and special happenings were organized in Venetian palaces, it was served with biscuits prepared with egg cream. (zabaglione). The tradition changed when coffee and chocolate were brought to Venice and the Venetian aristocrats changed their customs.