Italian press rewards Maltese wine

Camilleri Wines' Laurenti Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 was awarded the media prize during the second edition of the international competition Emozioni dal Mondo - Merlot e Cabernet Insieme.

The competition was held in Bergamo, Italy, when 131 samples of merlot cabernet wines were examined by an international jury with only 40 samples being awarded prizes. The Laurenti Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, produced by Camilleri Wines, was awarded the media prize by a commission of journalists. This is an award equivalent to a silver medal, a spokesman for the wine maker said.

"Launched in 2005, Laurenti Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 has achieved unprecedented success among an increasingly growing sophisticated market of wine drinkers who recognise this wine as one that managed to set a higher benchmark for local reds and we are very delighted with the award. Such an international recognition confirms our belief that Laurenti is indeed a prestigious wine worthy of international standards," Louie Camilleri, general manager of Camilleri Wines, said.

"Both Laurenti Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 and Laurenti Chardonnay 2005 are encouraging a new mentality where local Maltese wines are no longer considered to be just decent wines. Our Laurenti brand is , in fact, Camilleri Wines' premium product and continues to be the flagship of our constantly growing portfolio of locally grown wines," Mr Camilleri added.