Del Borgo, located in an alley just off Vittoriosa’s main thoroughfare, celebrated its 10th anniversary with a special themed evening with Spanish wines and Spanish dancers from Alegria Dance Company. Guest of honour was Spanish Ambassador José María Pons Irazazábal.

The wines, supplied by Attard & Co. (Foodstuffs) Ltd, were from the Familia Martínez Bujanda wineries, based in the La Rioja region in northern Spain.

Seventy per cent of the seven wines produced by the firm are exported to 65 countries. They were launched in Malta late last year.

Three of the family’s wine brands were offered during the evening: Viña Bujanda Rioja, Infinitus and Finca Montepedrosa.

Viña Bujanda Rioja Blanco has flowery aromas of pineapple, green apple, white-flower vegetables and freshly cut hay. Viña Bujanda Rioja Rosado is fresh, wide and big volume in the mouth, with a fruity afternose, a long final and a tasty aftertaste. Viña Bujanda Rioja Crianza develops a great volume and structure with a long, tasty ending and an extraordinary afternose aroma. Viña Bujanda Rioja Joven has a smooth attack in the mouth, with a rounded development showing a big glyceric load that allows a long final sensation.

Infinitus Gewürztraminer has a high aromatic intensity with clear varietal traits with notable rose petal aromas, wasabi, jasmine and white flowers. It is very complex and enjoyable. The Gewürztraminer vines for this wine are grown at an altitude of more than 900 metres, which mitigates its alcoholic potential and powers its floral and fruity aromas with spices.

Familia Martínez Bujanda export manager Marta Martínez Bujunda (left) with Del Borgo owner Ingrid Dalli.

Infinitus Moscatel is very aromatic, typical of the Muscat grape, and very fresh in the mouth due to the sparkle of the natural carbonic gas.

Finca Montepdrosa has a velvety and silky entry, developing to great volume and structure. The balanced acidity gives freshness and nerve. There is a long and tasty fruity aftertaste, with a sensation even more intense than in the nose phase, sowing up the recalls of fennel and aniseed.

A special glass to mark the anniversary with the Del Borgo and Familia Martínez Bujanda names on it was also sold during the evening, with the proceeds,amounting to €1,000, to be donated to Puttinu Cares.

Earlier this year, Del Borgo launched a new wine list, for which it received an award by The Definitive(ly) Good Guide. The wine bar will shortly be launching a new food menu.

According to owner Ingrid Dalli, the new menu will expand from tapas and platters to a more generous selection of main courses.

“We want Del Borgo to be a place for patrons to wine and dine, ensuring that they have a satisfying meal,” she said.

Del Borgo is open seven days a week from 5pm, with last orders taken at 1am. For more information, visit www.delborgomalta.com or call 2180 3710/9928 0000.