A quick Google search for the wine blend Vermentino-Viognier will yield Camilleri Wines' Laurenti. This is no coincidence for Camilleri Wines believes that in its Laurenti Vermentino-Viognier, the winery has managed to craft a unique blend which at present may possibly be the only one in the world.
When Camilleri Wines launched Laurenti Chardonnay in November 2004, it was the winery's first fully-grown Maltese wine. With a production of just under 10,000 bottles, the introduction of this premium brand meant a new strategic direction adopted by the company whereby it started to successfully supply the wine market with less quantities but superior qualities of wines. Everything about Laurenti, from the grapes that produce it to the glass it's bottled in, is combined to offer a very special and enjoyable experience.
"Laurenti came at a time when the market was facing a number of difficulties due to the influx of imported wines into Malta following the country's entry into the EU. Quality was essential to be able to position Maltese wines where they deserve to be and hence getting this product right was critical. The feedback that we had in the months following its launch was exceptional," said Claudio Camilleri, head sales and marketing of Camilleri Wines, who coincidentally had joined the winery three weeks before Laurenti was launched. "Laurenti Chardonnay is now in its fifth vintage and we have been courageous to bring the product in line with the consumers' tastes. We have reduced the oak influence tremendously and the consumer has appreciated this. Seven months later, we then launched the Laurenti Red, an exquisite blend of Merlot Cabernet-Sauvignon grapes which solidified the already unprecedented reputation that Laurenti had gained with the Chardonnay. This was the second fully-grown Maltese premium wine by Camilleri Wines and the first run saw a production of around 10,500 bottles."
In June of 2007, Camilleri Wines became the first winery in Malta to grow and harvest the Vermentino grape and to produce the first single varietal Vermentino wine under the Palatino range. The winery had originally planted the Vermentino grape for blending purposes. Surprisingly, however, the grape yielded was of such a high quality that a decision was taken to produce a limited quantity of Vermentino single-varietal wine. Gradually, the winery went on to be the first one to blend Vermentino with Viogner and thus created the third in the Laurenti range of wines. The grape was later also introduced in the Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino, Viognier blend that resulted in the winery's first late harvest wine, Dolce Vita.
Laurenti Vermentino-Viognier is the latest addition to the Laurenti range. Launched in 2007, the 2006 vintage has been fermented and aged in French oak barrique for four months and stored for another three months in the bottle before being released. Vermentino is an aromatic white variety whose native habitat is now the Italian region of Liguria and the Mediterranean islands of Sardinia and Corsica where it is known as Malvoise of Corsica. It is a grape that grows well in warm Mediterranean countries and unlike other grape varieties performs very well when planted by the sea. The local vineyards are mainly situated in Siġġiewi and Manikata. Vermentino wines have good body and acidity. If allowed to ripen fully, the acidity in the grape drops, but with the right dose of care and attention, it is possible to achieve a very good crisp, dry white wine.
Up to a few years ago, the grape Viognier seemed to be an endangered variety. In these years though, this variety is recovering very well worldwide, both in popularity and acreage. Like many other varietals, Viognier must be harvested at its peak of maturity in order to display its unique aroma and flavour. Probably the main attraction of Viognier is its potential powerful, rich, and complex aroma that often seems like overripe apricots mixed with orange blossoms or acacia. The distinctive Viognier perfume holds up even when blended with a large portion of other grapes. The fruit usually has very deep colour, but may be low in acidity.
When Camilleri Wines launched Laurenti Chardonnay in November 2004, it was the winery's first fully-grown Maltese wine. With a production of just under 10,000 bottles, the introduction of this premium brand meant a new strategic direction adopted by the company whereby it started to successfully supply the wine market with less quantities but superior qualities of wines. Everything about Laurenti, from the grapes that produce it to the glass it's bottled in, is combined to offer a very special and enjoyable experience.
"Laurenti came at a time when the market was facing a number of difficulties due to the influx of imported wines into Malta following the country's entry into the EU. Quality was essential to be able to position Maltese wines where they deserve to be and hence getting this product right was critical. The feedback that we had in the months following its launch was exceptional," said Claudio Camilleri, head sales and marketing of Camilleri Wines, who coincidentally had joined the winery three weeks before Laurenti was launched. "Laurenti Chardonnay is now in its fifth vintage and we have been courageous to bring the product in line with the consumers' tastes. We have reduced the oak influence tremendously and the consumer has appreciated this. Seven months later, we then launched the Laurenti Red, an exquisite blend of Merlot Cabernet-Sauvignon grapes which solidified the already unprecedented reputation that Laurenti had gained with the Chardonnay. This was the second fully-grown Maltese premium wine by Camilleri Wines and the first run saw a production of around 10,500 bottles."
In June of 2007, Camilleri Wines became the first winery in Malta to grow and harvest the Vermentino grape and to produce the first single varietal Vermentino wine under the Palatino range. The winery had originally planted the Vermentino grape for blending purposes. Surprisingly, however, the grape yielded was of such a high quality that a decision was taken to produce a limited quantity of Vermentino single-varietal wine. Gradually, the winery went on to be the first one to blend Vermentino with Viogner and thus created the third in the Laurenti range of wines. The grape was later also introduced in the Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino, Viognier blend that resulted in the winery's first late harvest wine, Dolce Vita.
Laurenti Vermentino-Viognier is the latest addition to the Laurenti range. Launched in 2007, the 2006 vintage has been fermented and aged in French oak barrique for four months and stored for another three months in the bottle before being released. Vermentino is an aromatic white variety whose native habitat is now the Italian region of Liguria and the Mediterranean islands of Sardinia and Corsica where it is known as Malvoise of Corsica. It is a grape that grows well in warm Mediterranean countries and unlike other grape varieties performs very well when planted by the sea. The local vineyards are mainly situated in Siġġiewi and Manikata. Vermentino wines have good body and acidity. If allowed to ripen fully, the acidity in the grape drops, but with the right dose of care and attention, it is possible to achieve a very good crisp, dry white wine.
Up to a few years ago, the grape Viognier seemed to be an endangered variety. In these years though, this variety is recovering very well worldwide, both in popularity and acreage. Like many other varietals, Viognier must be harvested at its peak of maturity in order to display its unique aroma and flavour. Probably the main attraction of Viognier is its potential powerful, rich, and complex aroma that often seems like overripe apricots mixed with orange blossoms or acacia. The distinctive Viognier perfume holds up even when blended with a large portion of other grapes. The fruit usually has very deep colour, but may be low in acidity.