Antonin Red 2007 won a gold medal recently at the well known wine competition Emozioni dal Mondo. This competition is specialised for wines produced from Merlot and Cabernet together.

Two hundred quality wines competed with 57 being selected for gold. From these, 16, including the Antonin Red 2007, were further short listed as being the preferred gold medallists.

Antonin red is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grapes, all harvested from the Marnisi Estate in Marsaxlokk with Merlot being the dominant grape variety in the wine.

Low grape harvest yields, 12 months ageing in French oak barrels and judicious blending followed by a further ageing period in bottle before release onto the market produce a concentrated, full-bodied wine with very good ageing potential whilst its unique fruit driven character also makes it very enjoyable even in its early years.

The 2007 vintage was characterised by a much lower grape harvest yield than average coupled with excellent grape maturity and high concentration of natural sugars which qualified this particular vintage wine for the special mention of “Superior”.

In fact, the 2007 vintage proved to be Marsovin’s best vintage since the new millennium.

Marsovin director Jeremy Cassar, said the company was overjoyed by the result.

“It is very rewarding for us to know that the hard work of the entire winemaking and viticulture team, led by Philip Tonna and Christian Cremona has been recognised overseas by independent, unbiased wine experts,” he said.