Josef Bonello has simply been appointed by the Malta Vacationer Authority as the primary ambassador for one of many world’s smallest wine-producing nations.
The oldest Maltese vineyard, Delicata, was based by a GP in 1907 and is now in its fourth technology primarily based on the vineyard on the waterfront at Valetta Harbour, produces seven manufacturers and thirty particular person wines comprised of domestically grown grapes in portions smaller than the primary development Bordeaux bottlings.
The perfect embrace Girgentina Frizzante, Medina Chardonnay Girgentina, Medina Vermentino Zibibbo, Medina Gellewza, Victoria Heights Shiraz Rose, Grand Cavalier Merlot and Grand Vin de Hauteville Viognier. Says Delicata’s Georges Meekers, writer of “Wines of Malta”: “Novices are sometimes shocked by their first sip of Girgentina. Malta’s distinguished white wine grape couldn’t be extra completely different. Girgentina has an intricate attraction with lemon blossom and different delicate citrus perfumes interlaced with fruity tangs of inexperienced Granny Smith apple and crunchy Bambinella pear.
“Medina Gellewza is garnet in shade and vinified in stainless-steel tanks. The contemporary nostril jogs my memory of boiled sweet and the scent of violets. There’s an intriguing little streak of black treacle within the end. Served barely chilled it makes a beautiful purple to take pleasure in within the spring and summer season”.
“Vermentino is variously referred to as Pigato, Favorita, Rolle, and Malvoisie de Corse. We use it in ourgrown Medina Vermentino Zibibbo cuvée and Pjazza Reġina The world planted with Viognier quantities to a floor space of barely eight soccer fields, or lower than seven hectares. I additionally advocate Malta’s award-winning winemaker Matthew Delicata’s top-of-the-line Grand Vin de Hauteville label.”
The wines have been offered from carts and straight from picket barrels by both the pinta (pint) or a terz (a 3rd of a pint). One pint price a half penny. The bottling of wine in Malta solely started after World Conflict II, earlier than that wine was offered ‘free’ or in bulk. within the mid-Fifties Lachryma Vitis, Malta’s oldest wine model. However most plantings got here within the Nineties.
Wine manufacturing within the Maltese islands preceded the Roman domination of the Mediterranean and might be traced to the Phoenician/Punic interval. Being extra uncovered to chill north-westerly and westerly winds, Gozo has a extra temperate local weather than Malta. This is a bonus, particularly for purple wines. The soil in Gozo has a loamy character. The growing older time required in oak barriques might be months, not years. The Ta’ Mena vineyard, owned by the Spiteri household produces 150,000 bottles of wine yearly.
On Malta, the Meridiana Wine Property was established in 1987 beneath oenologist Roger Aquilina who was tasked to supply “World-Class Wines of Maltese Character”. The identify Meridiana and the property’s sundial insignia are impressed by Malta’s Southern European location. Their wines can be found within the UK via Lin-Beet.
In 1989, a 19-hectare (47-acre) website was acquired at Ta’ Qali, reclaimed from a Second World Conflict airfield beneath the traditional, walled metropolis of Mdina. In 1992, Marchese Piero Antinori invested within the vineyards. Antinori descends from one of many oldest established winemaking households on the earth. Giovanni di Piero Antinori joined the Winemakers Guild of Florence in 1385. The Property was planted in 1994 and 1995 with Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. The present portfolio contains ten labels – 4 whites, a rose, and 5 reds.
The winemaker is Martino Amato. Says property supervisor Karl Chetcuti; “If I needed to advocate our greatest, I might go for Astarte (Vermentino) and Isis (Chardonnay) as whites and Nexus (our stunning Merlot) for the reds. Our Vermentino grapes come from vineyards located near the ocean giving it a stunning salty notice and our Isis is comprised of estate-grown Chardonnay which is totally un-oaked to enrich our heat local weather. We use solely use barrique for our reds. We all the time favor magnificence over energy.”
The winery was planted in 1994 and 1995 with varietals like Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, and an enthralling vineyard product of native, pale limestone was established in 1996.
Says Bonello: “On the island of Gozo, Ta’ Mena Property is a hidden gem, providing not simply wine experiences but additionally a glimpse into the native meals tradition with Gozitan platter that includes native specialties like candy sundried tomato paste, olives, peppered cheeselets, smoked sausages, and seasonal delicacies.
Established over a century in the past by Chevalier Anthony Cassar, Marsovin Vineyard is managed by the founder’s great-grandson, CEO Jeremy Cassar. The wine cellars date to the Order of the Knights of Saint John.
He feedback: “A superb wine to accompany a standard Maltese rabbit dish can be the 1919 Gellewza which is made utilizing the indigenous Maltese grape Gellewza, and Merlot. It is a advanced, full-bodied purple wine with intense ripe fruit aromas of forest berries, amarena cherries, and figs underlined by distinct notes of peppery, candy spice, and a touch of contemporary tobacco. On the palate, it is extremely easy with loads of ripe, velvety tannins and a really nice, lengthy lingering end.”
Ta’ Betta Wine Estates in Siġġiewi, was established by Cambridge College graduates, Juanito and Astrid Camilleri who’ve been guided by winemaker Vincenzo Melia. Strive the Jean Parisot Chardonnay. Every wine is impressed by Knight Grandmasters of the Order of St. John such because the Philippe Villiers mix. Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon Antonio Manoel mix.”
