The road to Clos Malaza

 
Fianarantsoa, in the Malagasy highlands, 500 kilometres from Antananarivo, has a dozen domains specialising in wine. Clos Malaza is one of them. Located in the cultural home of Betsileo, the property was created in the early twentieth century by the Jesuits.
 
It is 1500 metres above sea level where there is the backdrop of hills. Gentle and generous sunshine at the same time, is conducive to a good wine production and gives wines certain qualities. The wines of Clos Malaza have the particularity to be derived from hybrid grape varieties that no longer exist anywhere, which gives this wine production, in addition to its exotic scent, accents of scarcity. But the reputation of the estate is also the consequence of the modernity of the wine machines employed and the performance of the winemaking processes. 80,000 bottles are produced each year and two wines have made this house famous.
 
The Red NM vintage is a blend of Petit Bouschet (90%), Sévillard, Chambourcin (Pinot Noir grandfather), Villardin and Varousset. It is a wine with aromas of crushed strawberries and blackberries, with fine tannins on the palate and a crunchy fruit taste. An ideal wine to accompany red meats. The Gray Wine NM, is the specialty of this field. It is a blend of white wine mainly (here 90% of Couderc 13) and red wine (10% of Petit Bouschet). An almond bouquet, its light bitterness and pleasant on the palate make it the perfect wine to adapt to all dishes.
 
 
Other Clos Malaza wines are also to be discovered: the White Dry NM, White Sweet NM, the Rosé NM and the delicious Pineapple Wine NM. The aperitif with Orange is consumed fresh. It reveals a bitterness balanced by sugar and the very attractive orange aroma.
 
This article was featured in Prime Magazine March 2018

Useful Information

When to go

A good climate makes the visit to the site possible at any time of the year.

How to get there

From Fianarantsoa, ​​head south on the RN7. After 11 kilometres of asphalted road, is the village of Soaindrana. Take the track for 16 kilometres to the rural town of Andoharanomaitso. Following the trail, you can see the vineyard.

Where to stay

Quiet setting, beautifully located near Sahambavy tea plantations and wilderness ambiance at 'Lake Hotel'. For those who prefer the proximity of the city, the "Soratel" or hotel "Cotsoyannis" are recommended.

Where to eat

What to see

First, the city, its remains and its history. A visit to do with a Betsileo (native of Fianarantsoa). Count a few hours. Apart from the Clos Malaza, other vineyards are to be discovered between Fianarantsoa and Ambalavao, including the Lazan'i Betsileo estate and the Maromby monastery. The productions are different from one area to another, which is the richness of this wine route. But Fianarantsoa is also known for its tea plantations. By taking the RN7 south of Fianarantsoa, ​​admire the valley of Ambalavao, deserving of a western setting, before arriving in the upper town with the most typical buildings of the region. Discover the second largest zebu market in Madagascar. This rich and fertile region is known for its productions of wine, wild silk and chewing tobacco.