Wines of Malta Part 1: Wines by Emm. Delicata Winemaker.

Cheers -rich, ruby Merlot

Emmanuel  Delicata Winemaker has been established in the production of wine since 1907, that is something around 104 years. Like all other winemakers, both local as well as foreign, in all this time, this company has gone from the production of ordinary table wine produced from the local indegenous grape varieties, to wine produced from imported grape varieties, to the production of some very good wines under Malta's QWPSR  ( Quality Wine Produced in a Specific Region) legislation which came in force in 2007, in a state of the art winery. Wines that are permitted to use the new classifications of DOK; DOK Superior, and IGT, must be made entirely from grapes grown in Malta and Gozo and have to go through independent analysis and adjudication both locally and overseas before certification is approved. The top wines produced by this winemaker have over the years been awarded several international awards and have won several gold, silver and bronze medals in international wine competitions.

2011 Delicata grape harvest.

In the early 1990's Delicata embarked on an ambitious project to increase the amount of land under vine, and embarked on the Vines for Wines project, through which a number of farmers and land owners were contracted to plant selected American rootstock which were eventually cloned with a selection of the international grape varieties popular with wine lovers  - such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah/Shiraz; Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc; Vermentino; Viogner; and other varieties that are mainly used for blending such as Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, Grenache; and possibly also other varieties. I shall not delve into the history of this company any further and shall continue with the wines under production and our selection for your consumption:

Cabernet Sauvignon pre-harvest.

In all Emmanuel Delicata Winemaker produce some 51 different wine varietals. These include the Classic collection brand which consist of some eight varietals which are produced from imported grapes. There are other brands which are considered to be tables wines for the mass market. Both the Classic collection as well as the cheaper table wines,  are of no real interest to us for this website as we are only endeavouring to bring to consumers' attention the best, premium wines produced exclusively in Malta from Malta and Gozo grown grapes - hence the title Wines of Malta. Wines reviewed must have been awarded the DOK; DOK-S classification label and which have, above all, must have reached our own review criteria for quality wines.


GRAND CAVALIER BRANDED WINES.

Gran Cavalier 2010 vintages.
Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon.

The first brand of choice and which form the basis of Delicata's quality wines is the Grand Cavalier branded wines. Four wines are produced under this brand and these are all single varietal wines made from the best grapes, selected each harvest, from the top boutique vineyards. These are the:

Grand Cavalier Chardonnay 2010 DOK-S - 12.7% alcohol, fermented in new French oak barriques to add depth and complexity. Buttery, crispy with lively acidity. Almonds, apples and apricots fruit aromas and flavours on the palate.

Grand Cavalier Sauvignon Blanc 2010 DOK -  12.5% alcohol, fermented and matured in stainless steel tanks, and left in contact with the skins for a prolonged period to produce a wine that is refreshing and crispy with a harbeceous, granny apple, and citrus full flavoured taste.

Grand Cavalier Merlot 2010 DOK- 13% alcohol, full bodied, aged, matured and softened in oak for 12 months after fermenation, elegant but robust red wine with Maltese hot climate typicity.
Blackberry, black-currant and licorice flavours, and a mellow, pleasant finish.

Gran Cavalier Syrah 2010.
Choice of the very best.

Grand Cavalier Syrah 2010 DOK- 12.5% alcohol. This is the flagship wine of this winemaker and comes with a strong vanilla and black fruit flavours. Full-bodied, reasonably well balanced with noticeable dry tannins, and a long persistent finish.

These four wines which are very reasonable priced at wineshops with price tags ranging from Eur10 to Eur15.50 are considered to be excellent wines for that special, celebratory dinner.
The white wines pair well with fish, seafood, seashells, white meats-chicken, veal and pork; and the red wines due to their full-bodied structure pair exceptionally well with grilled and roast red meats - beef, lamb and game; braised meats; rabbit; turkey, and strong cheese. All wines pair well with Maltese and Mediterranean cuisine.

Wine aging: We recommend that the white wines in this range are enjoyed young, that is, now, or up to three years from the vintage year. The Gran Cavalier red wines, the Syrah as well as th Merlot can be enjoyed now, but they can be aged in cool and adequate conditions even up to eight/ten years.

THE WELL ESTABLISHED GRAND VIN DE HAUTEVILLE COLLECTION.

Grand Vin De Hauteville 2010
selection of four wines.

The second, premium brand of wines which have always proved to be a pleasure to drink, and which year after year received good reviews from me is the Grand Vin De Hauteville brand. This brand consists of another four wine varietals, two reds and two whites as follows:

Grand Vin De Hauteville 2010 DOK - Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon blend. Grapes grown and harvested from the company's vineyards in Gozo.
12.5% alcohol, barrel matured, full-bodied blend of two noble grape varieties. Well balanced, dry, with medium tannins, and full black fruit flavour.

2010 Delicata Premium Selection.
Highly recommended.

Grand Vin De Hauteville 2010 DOK-S Cabernet Sauvignon.
13% alcohol; matured in French oak barriques, thus getting that distinguishing vanilla flavour with tastes of cassis, black currant and chocolate. Complex and well structured.

Grand Vin De Hauteville 2010 DOK-S Viogner.
13% alcohol. A crispy and refereshing white wine, with citrus and green apple flavours and lively acidity. Matured in stainless steel tanks. An elegant, easy drinking wine to be enjoyed with food or on its own.

Grand Vin De Hauteville 2009 DOK - Oak Aged Chardonnay.
12.5% alcohol. Buttery, full-bodied, dry white wine with a distinct oak flavour. Elegant, giving a taste of lemon and lime, nectarines and peaches in the mouth with a long and persistent finish.

These wines are all premium quality wines, with aromas and tastes typical of a warm weather climate grape harvest providing bouquets of tropical flowers, combined with stone fruits, apricots, paches and nectarines, pineapple, and black fruits as indicated under each individual wine above. These four wines are a "must try" brand, and pair well with Maltese and Mediterranean cuisine; and all foods as indicated for the Gran Cavalier range. Very good wines for special dinners or lunches, also offering excellent value for money with wineshop prices ranging from Eur8.5 to Eur9.5 per bottle.

VICTORIA HEIGHTS - A TASTE OF GOZO.

The third brand that was taste-tested was the Emmanuel Delicata Victoria Heights range.
This brand consist of four wines, two red wines, one white and one rose', as follows:

Victoria Heights 2010 Merlot.

Victoria Heights 2010 DOK - Merlot of Gozo.
13% alcohol, rich ruby colour, clear and  with medium depth. A very subtle, oak- mellowed, dry Merlot with a medium-full body and flavours of blackberry, licorice, chocolate and toffee. Mellow tannins and a very good finish and aftertaste. The best in this brand range- excellent with red meats - grilled or roasts.

Victoria Heights 2010 DOK-S Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc Blend - Gozo grown.
12.5% alcohol. Dark red in colour, softened in French oak barriques,with moderate black fruit aromas, medium bodied wine, styled for easy drinking and for everyday drinking with light meals, meats, pasta, pizza, stews.

Victoria Heights Chardonnay
Shiraz Rose' and CS/CF Blend.

Victoria Heights 2010 DOK-S Chardonnay of Gozo.
13% alcohol. Light straw colour, fermented and matured in stainless steel tanks. Citrus, apples, and peaches flavours. Lively acidity, and medium finish.

Victoria Heights 2010 DOK Shiraz Rose' of Gozo.
12.5% alcohol. Red berry - strawberry, flavours, fruity, dry rose', on the palate slightly peppery with a taste of raisins and spice. An easy drinking wine, excellent on its own, or with light meals, salads, pasta, pizza, fish and shellfish.

The Victoria Heights wines are produced from selected grapes, grown and harvested in the company's contracted vineyards on the Island of Gozo. All are ideal for everyday drinking with meals or on their own. Price range for this brand at wineshops is Eur4.5 to Eur5 perbottle.


MEDINA - TEN EASY DRINKING, EVERY DAY WINES IN THE VIN DE PAYS MODE.

The 2010 Medina White collection.

The fourth and final brand being reviewed here is the extensive Medina range of wines, which is a collection of wines produced from grapes grown all over the Island of Malta, but predominantly from vineyards situated in the surrounding area beneath the City of Mdina's ancient walls.

The Medina Red and Rose Collection.

The range consist of ten wine varietals, five red wines, four white wines and one rose'. These wines are made to suit most consumers' tastes, are easy drinking, designed for everyday drinking with meals or on their own. Each wine is made to the highest quality commensurate with the grape vintage quality of the particular harvest year, but at the same time giving value for money and pleasant satisfaction. All these wines carry the DOK classification with the exception of the Sangiovese 2009 which is an IGT classified wine.
All the wine varietals in this range have all been fermented and matured in stainless steel tanks under temperature controlled conditions, and non of the wines have been either oaked or subjected to oak flavours, thus maintaining the grape typicity in taste and bouquets. The Medina wine collection is illustrated in photographs taken prior to the tasting and produced here for better information.

Medina Cabernet Sauvignon

All wines illustrated here pair well with all Maltese dishes, Mediterranean cuisine, light meals, pasta, and pizza. The reds are suited for rabbit-stew, fried in garlic, etc; grilled red meats and prime steaks; and baked meats Maltese style as well as roast meats. The white wines suit a vast range of fish dishes, seafood, and shellfish and white meats, as well as pasta, risottos, and pizza.
All wines pair well with platters and other cuisine served in most wine bars. Above all the price tag for these wines is very reasonable.

The 2010 Medina Syrah.

Two wines of note and quality in this very affordable range are the Medina 2010 DOK Syrah and the Medina 2010 DOK Sauvignon Blanc, both of which compare well with more expensive, imported, similar wines produced from the same grape variety. The Chardonnay, and the unique Vermentino-Zibibbo, are also worthy of note.

Wineshop price range of these wines is a very affordable Eur4.50 to Eur5.

Highly recommended selection.

All the wines reviewed above in all collections as listed, are readily available to be purchased from enotecas, wineshops and supermarkets at the price ranges indicated. Most are also available in restaurants, but one must be ready to pay for a mark-up on the indicated prices.
Serving temperatures:
Red wines: 17 to 18 Deg. C.
White wines: Chilled 10 to 12 Deg.C.
Red wines in the Gran Cavalier and Grand Vin de Hauteville collections as well as the Medina Syrah and the Victoria Heights Merlot, varietals, are recommended to be opened at least 2 hours before serving so that the wines would be given a chance to breath and to become more mellow and pleasant. Decanting prior to serving also improves and enhances the quality of these wines.