A novelist once said that wine is bottled poetry, and we can’t agree more. Cheers!
Nothing depicts the beauty of Mediterranean living better than a wonderfully chilled or heart-warming glass of wine (best paired with a delicious local dish). And, seeing as the Maltese islands are situated right in the heart of the Mediterranean, it is no surprise that local wine-making has come a long way since its humble beginnings on the island.
Wine production in Malta dates back thousands of years to the time of the Phoenicians, until two wineries established themselves as the front-runners of wine production in more recent years. As the trade began to be viewed more seriously and international grape varieties started being planted here, the industry boomed, and the demand for Maltese wine began to increase.
In fact, it is only in the last 20 years that wine-making in Malta has been approached scientifically, using modern viticultural techniques with the aim of producing authentic, locally produced wine from Malta-grown grapes. Today, hundreds of vineyards spread throughout Malta and Gozo are taken care of by skilled growers, producing wines that are unique to the Maltese Islands.
There are around 25 different grape varieties planted and growing throughout the islands, two of which are indigenous to Malta. These are the white Girgentina, which results in a crisp dry white wine, and the red Gellewza, which produces a fruity rose tipple. A number of international varieties also perform well thanks to Malta’s favourable climate.
Indeed, the Maltese islands are blessed with a climate that helps reap excellent results – long, dry summers and mild winters allow the grapes to ripen gently, especially with the cooling capacity of the surrounding Mediterranean Sea. Some of the best wine-producing grapes you’ll find locally are Chardonnay, Vermentino, as well as the aforementioned local Girgentina when it comes to white wine, and for reds, Merlot and Syrah are among the better performing red varieties, not to mention the indigenous Gellewza.
Apart from wines made from grapes on the islands, the local wine scene in Malta is also unique thanks to the wonderful variety of international wines available to buy – which is great news for wine aficionados!
Pencil in a visit to one of Malta’s local wineries during your stay, for a unique insight into wine production on the islands, or simply give local wine a try the next time you sit down to enjoy a good meal on the islands – you won’t regret it!