Wine making in Malta
Maltese wine
dates back over two thousand years to the time of the Phoenicians. In the beginning of the 20th century
Marsovin
and
Emmanuel Delicata
wineries were established. In the 1970s wine production became more serious and international
grape
varieties began to be planted. After joining the
European Union
in 2004 protective
levies
were lifted. Locally produced wines with a "DOK" designation are protected designations of origin within the European Union.
Some of the wineries resort to using imported grapes because agricultural areas are severely limited on the islands by the growth of settlements and tourism. A wine festival is held in
Valletta
. In 2005, 630 tonnes of wine were produced on the islands.
Wine styles
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Today grape varieties grown on the Maltese islands include the two indigenous varieties named
?ellew?a
(red) and
Girgentina
(white), as well as several
international varieties
. Marsovin's Cassar de Malte is the traditional
sparkling wine
of Malta, which is made using the same method as
champagne
"methode traditionelle".
Quality designations
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In Malta, the designationas DOK and I?T are used, which form part of the
EU system of geographical indications
.
Naming
EU Category (English)
|
EU Category (Maltese)
|
Designation in Malta
|
Product(s)
|
Protected Designation of Origin
(PDO)
|
Denominazzjoni ta’ Ori?ini Protetta (DOP)
|
Denominazzjoni ta’ Ori?ini Kontrollata (DOK)
|
Malta
Gozo / Għawdex
|
Protected Geographical Indication
(PGI)
|
Indikazzjoni ?eografika Protetta (I?P)
|
Indikazzjoni ?eografika Tipika (I?T)
|
Maltese Islands
|
Three wines have received a DOK or I?T designation. As of 2021, they are the only geographical indications from Malta registered within the EU.
- Malta
or
"of Malta"
is a DOK wine from the
island of Malta
, which is produced and packaged there. The maximum yield is 84-91
hectoliter
/
hectare
.
[1]
- Gozo
or
"of Gozo"
(Maltese:
Għawdex
or
"Ta' Għawdex"
) is a DOK wine from the island of
Gozo
, with very similar requirement to those of "Malta".
[2]
- Maltese Islands
or
"of the Maltese Islands"
is an I?T wine from any of the islands for which higher yields are allowed than the DOK wines of 120-125 hectoliter/hectare.
[3]
Wineries
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There are five major wine producers on the island:
Marsovin
,
Emmanuel Delicata
, Camilleri Wines, Montekristo and Meridiana. Delicata and Marsovin were established in 1907 and 1919 respectively and both are based near
Paola
. Meridiana was established in 1987. The other two wineries were planted in the 2000s when Maltese
viticulture
experienced a growth in quality production.
In Gozo, Malta's sister island one finds two other wineries. These are Ta' Mena Winery
[4]
which produces a range of I?T and DOK wines and Tal-Massar Winery.
[5]
Qormi Wine Festival
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Qormi Wine Festival
is an event organized in
Qormi
,
Malta
in the first week of September (since September 2005) by Kumitat Festi Esterni. This festival is organized in the streets of Qormi, in front of St. George's Parish Church. The two-day free event includes promotional events from all over the island. Five exhibitions, ranging from wine, paintings, photo, floral and another of historical and cultural treasures found in Qormi, are concurrently held during the Qormi Wine Festival.
See also
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References
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External links
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