Marsovin’s Grand Maitre 2009, ‘Annata Fra Luiz Mendez de Vasconcellos’, was released last week.

The wine is the 12th vintage of the prized Grand Maitre, produced at Marsovin’s Għajn Riħana estate.

Grand Maitre is exported to various countries, including Japan and Hong Kong.

The Għajn Riħana estate spans an area of 1.6 hectares, betweenBidnija hills and Wardija.

The vineyard is planted with 14,000 vines of two noble French grape varieties, made up of equal quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

The arid land and clay-rich, calcareous soil provide a tough growing environment for these vines. The yields are therefore low and generally produce very concentrated full-bodied wines of intense fruit and aromatic character.

Grand Maitre is a wine dedicated to the Grand Masters of St John by special appointment to the Maltese Association Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

Fra Luiz de Vasconcellos was elected 55th Grand Master of the Order of St John in 1622.

The label is made of pewter with an embossed design, which includes the coat-of-arms of the said Grand Master.

Grand Maitre is available from Marsovin’s cellars in wooden boxes of six (€198) and three bottles (€99), as well as single bottles offered in an exclusively designed complimentary presentation box at €33.

For more information, visit www.marsovin.com, e-mail cellars@marsovin.com.mt or call 7923 1919 /2366 2445.