“This is the beauty of wine — it really represents the people who make it and the land upon which it is grown.”
Wine lovers might not put Malta at the top of their favourites list, but that would be a mistake. Even non-connoisseurs know that producing good wine takes good soil and a great climate, and Malta has both. The 316-square- kilometre island archipelago enjoys fertile soil on the 420 hectares dedicated to its vineyards, but it also enjoys the perfect Mediterranean climate and breezes, both of which are ideal for growing the perfect grapes for excellent wines.
“We are blessed by the Mediterranean Sea and by its climate and profile, which are both very desirable to have,” says Josef Bonello, Ambassador for Wines of Malta and Gozo, Malta Tourism Authority. “So, definitely, it is our land and our positioning within the Mediterranean which gives us a lot of sunshine so the fruit can ripen with ease without any concerns about pending storms, so we can really allow the vine to take the time that it needs.”
In Bonello’s expert opinion, the nurturing and care needed to grow great wine is just as important as the quality of the soil and climate. In the case of Malta, the quality of its wines are very much a reflection of the quality of the Maltese people.
“This is the beauty of wine — it really represents the people who make it and the land upon which it is grown,” observes Bonello. “There is always a human connection and influence on the style of any wine, as it represents what the humans that make it want to drink.”
The small Mediterranean Island nation is home to some of the world’s most creative artists, designers and influencers.
1. Carlo Micallef Read Story
2. Charles and Ron Read Story
3. Luke Azzopardi Read Story
4. James Dimech Read Story
5. Dana Carmont Read Story
6. Stephanie Borg Read Story
7. Josef Bonello
English (US) ·