An exciting wine initiative was launched recently at one of the island’s foremost culinary establishments, The Arches restaurant in Mellieħa.
At a red carpet event, hundreds of wine enthusiasts turned up to the launch of the restaurant’s new enterprise, the Sanguis de Vitis Wine Club.
Well over 70 quality wines were on offer for guests to try, along with an abundance of delicious food items, expertly prepared by The Arches’ team of chefs.
Patrons had the chance to select from 12 wine importers, each with a selection of foreign wines and Emmanuel Delicata with a selection of their premium DOK Malta wines.
A spokesman for Delicata said: “What a great success the launching of Sanguis de Vitis was. A fantastic turnout, exquisite food, an electric atmosphere and, of course, some super wines for the multitude of wine lovers who attended; to try to their hearts’ content.
“We at Delicata had some great feedback for the award-winning premium Grand Vin de Hauteville and Gran Cavalier DOK Malta wines we had to taste.
“Going by the numerous empty bottles we had at the end, they were all surely enjoyed. Good luck to Sanguis de Vitis, all at Delicata hope you mature well.”
To join this exclusive wine club, there is an annual membership fee, but members will enjoy many privileges. The club will be meeting every last Friday of the month and at each meeting, members will be receiving detailed information on every bottle of wine tasted by wine experts or sommeliers.
Placemats and wine rating evaluation sheets will be readily available, giving wine tasters the opportunity to rate, comment and discuss the wines with the wine experts and sommeliers in attendance.
Members will benefit from good discounts from the club’s list of participating wine importers and producers.
They will also be given the opportunity to taste new wines before their general release on to the market and take advantage of pre-releases and selected undiscovered gems from all around the world; all at discounted prices.
Members will be given the opportunity to meet and learn from world-renowned sommeliers and wine producers, who will be flown in specifically for the various wine club events.
These will include tutored champagne, cognac, whisky, port and sherry tastings by Master Sommeliers.
The wine club’s events will not be solely restricted to the Arches but will also include other renowned restaurants.
All of these grand culinary dinners will be paired up with the appropriate wines.
Another great advantage for members includes the free storage of personal premium wines in the Arches temperature- and humidity-controlled wine cellars.
This facility will give members the opportunity to enjoy their very own wines, served to them and their guests when dining or entertaining at The Arches.
However, this “early bird wine incentive” is only available to the first 50 wine club members who join.
Other benefits include a 15 per cent discount on accommodation at the Maritim La Salita Hotel and Spa, a special 50 per cent off on birthday celebrations for two people at The Arches restaurant and also a free birthday cake made by The Arches pastry chef.
There are also special discounts when travelling overseas with the club on guided tours to various vineyards around the world and, finally, when dining at The Arches, all members will be entitled to a 15 per cent discount on the total bill from the à la carte menu, with complimentary welcome drinks and liquors.
At the launch, general manager Mr Peter Rieks said: “This was a well-planned event which targeted a scale of wine enthusiasts.
“The turnout was great and there was a great vibe among the crowd.
“Most appreciated the different wines on offer and were keen to learn about each one.
“I think that a wine club with this kind of crowd which is genuinely hungry to explore and learn about wines is a great recipe to keep on educating the market.”