Delicata anniversary scheme launched

Last week Malta’s leading winemaker Emmanuel Delicata, launched its very own anniversary scheme targeting their loyal trade customers. Selected clients, who have been loyal purveyors of Delicata wines for a given number of years, will be identified by Delicata and rewarded with either Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum distinctions, depending on how many years they have been in partnership with the Winemaker. The anniversary will then be celebrated at the venue together with the presentation of a Certificate and a ‘one off ‘ double magnum of Commemorative wine for the establishment to keep and display as it deems fit.

Last week the first presentation took place at one of Marsascala’s leading restaurants Tal-Familja. The restaurant celebrated its 13th Anniversary and was awarded a Gold Distinction by representatives from Emmanuel Delicata. A special set menu was prepared for what turned out to be a full house and free flowing Delicata wines were poured throughout the evening. The double magnum (equivalent to four bottles) labelled with a Tal-Familja commemorative label contained 3 litres of 2008 vintage Malta D.O.K.

Superior Syrah.

2009 ITALIAN VINTAGE SMALLER BUT BETTER

The associated head of the Italian National Association of Growers recently announced that generally the Italian 2009 vintage was very good, but output will be lower than expected because of unusually hot weather which was followed by torrential rain.

Total production is estimated at 44.5 million hectolitres, four percent lower than forecast, compared with 46.3 million in 2008 and with a weak market Italian bulk wine prices were down 13.3 percent in the first half of this year compared with the same period of 2008. He said that “the global financial situation favoured quality wines but at restricted prices and that Italian wine had held its own but at a cost of reduced margins for producers”.

The association’s head went on to say that "The 2009 production is of generally excellent quality especially in the centre and north, but clearly below the average quantity of the preceding five and ten years”. The fall was particularly noticeable in southern regions including Puglia, Abruzzo and Sicily, whereas in areas around Venice, as well as Piedmont and the Emilia Romagna, production levels saw a slight rise on last year.

ITS STUDENTS UNDERGO WINE INDUCTION TOUR

Two groups of mature students from the Institute of Tourism Studies recently visited Delicata’s new red wine tank farm and grape receiving area as part of a wine induction course. The I.T.S. students were given a conducted tour of Delicata’s wine making facility including the recently opened €1.2 million D.O.K. wine fermentation area.

The two part course covers a number of wine related topics and is conducted in the winery’s 350 year old wine maturation cellars. Subjects covered include an introduction to winemaking, wine evaluation, the handling of wine, tutored wine tastings, wine and food appreciation etc.

Since the mid 1990’s Delicata has been an active advocate of wine education, pioneering wine activities like winemaker of the year, sommelier of the year, the wine festival, wine courses for the trade etc. This latest initiative is a continuance of Delicata’s endeavor to improve the level of wine education in Malta and ultimately raise the standard of wine handling and service throughout the islands hospitality sector.