Marsovin launches new wine

Marsovin has launched its new boutique wine, Primus, at its cellars in Marsa.

Executive director JeremyCassar said Primus was the first Imqadded ta’ Malta wine (derived from dried grapes) ever produced in Malta.

The process was similar to that of an Amarone Della Valpolicella, except that the grapes were sun dried after harvest rather than cold dried, he said.

The grapes are hand-pricked just as they reach full ripeness in September. Then they are left untouched in grape crates to sun dry on the winery.

During this time, the grapes are naturally dehydrated by the elements, adding to the concentration of aromas, sugars and acids in the juice. Temperatures in September are still high, between 25 to 35°C, so the sun drying period is relatively short, ranging between two and three weeks, depending on the variety.

The Syrah generally dries faster than the ġellewża due to the difference in size and thickness of the grape and grape skins.

The classification in the DOK protocol for this wine is Imqadded ta’Malta.

This may be used exclusively for wines 100 per cent of which are obtained from grapes which have undergone a drying process, in whole or in part, on the plant or after harvest, resulting in the concentration ofgrape sugars to a minimum natural potential alcoholic strength of 14 per cent volume andof which the minimum actual alcoholic strength is 13.5 per cent volume.

Mr Cassar said Primus was created to represent the first premium Maltese wine to be produced from the indigenous grape variety ġellewża.

Mr Cassar said to date no premium Maltese wine has ever been produced with ġellewża.

The aim of this concept wasto raise the standard of theindigenous variety.

Mr Cassar said “this wine proves that when ġellewża is dried after harvesting it can produce a wine of significant character and body.

“I strongly believe that this wine offers the Maltese andforeign consumer a brand to be proud of and truly call a flagship for Maltese wine.”