Wines of Malta Part 2: Meridiana Wine Estate.

Meridiana Wine Estate, Ta' Qali, Malta.

Meridiana Wine Estate, was established as a company in 1987, with the aim to produce "World Class Wines of Maltese Character", that is, wines made from grape varieties grown exclusively in Maltese soil.

In 1989, after successful experimentation with different grape varieties and selected rootstocks, a 19 hectare site was acquired at Ta' Qali and a partnership with Marchese' Piero Antinori was secured. This arrangement helped in no small way to establish this fledgling company both from a financial viewpoint, but more so with experience in modern viticulture and oenology which Antinori had gained over many years in the wine industry in Tuscany, Italy, no less.

Meridiana Fine wine collection.

Eventually the estate at Ta' Qali was planted in 1994 and 1995, with Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Petit Verdot. Thus choosing the best international grape varieties, four of which are also the most adaptable noble grape varieties and the Petit Verdot as a blending grape variety. This decision was very wise, as experimentation with other grape varieties by other viticulturists on the Maltese Islands have not all been successful or have given the desired results. A new state of the art winery was in the meantime built in the middle of the estate.

The first, experimental and initial wine production was done in 1995/96. Today, the vine plantings can produce somewhere around 200,000 bottles a year, if the winery does decide to produce this amount, depending on the actual quality of the vintage from the different varieties.

Meridiana Wine Estate, produce nine different wine varietals, five red and four white wines, both single varietals as well as blends, a concise description of which is being given herewith:

Celsius 2006.

CELSIUS: Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon of Malta 2006 Vintage.
This wine was aimed to be the flagship wine of this company. 12.5% alcohol, produced from 100% single estate Cabernet Sauvignon, and longer aged in new French oak barriques. Bottled unfiltered and unrefined to maintain the full flavour and complexity of the single grape variety. Dark ruby, clear and brilliant, with aromas and taste of vanilla, black currant and chocolate. Smooth tannins and very harmonious and balanced. Full-bodied, premium Cabernet Sauvignon for that special dinner.
This wine is now five years old, but can be aged further up to ten years. Excellent to drink now, with red meats, game, and strong cheese.
Price: Eur21.25
Serving Temperature: 18 Deg. C.
It is recommended to open this wine some three hours before serving and to decant it prior to serving.

Nexus-Merlot 2007.

NEXUS: Merlot of Malta 2007 DOK.
Produced under the strict requirements of the DOK classification rules, NEXUS has evolved into one of the very best, premium Merlot single variety wines produced in Malta.
12.5% alcohol, barrel aged, bottled unfiltered and unfined. Dark ruby, clear and brilliant, full-bodied, dry, with round tannins and aromatic flavour intensity. Black fruit, black berries and licorice and a hint of toffee and plums.
Price: Eur 15.75
Breathing prior to serving and decanting is recommended.
Serving temparature: 17 to 18 deg.C.

BEL-Syrah 2008.

BEL: Syrah of Malta 2008 DOK.
13% alcohol. This 100% Syrah of Malta, produced wine is an excellent example of the adaptability of the Syrah vine as this is one of the very best wines of this variety that can be produced in Malta. Outstanding, and excellent, a wine to be proud to present and offer on one's table with succulent roast beef, grilled prime beef steaks, game, mature cheese. Even rabbit dishes and roast lamb.
Very dark verging on purple, with strong flavours of mulberries, strawberries and black berries. Peppery and spicy on the palate, with firm tannins and smooth acidity. A well structured wine.
This wine must be served at the correct temperature of 17 to 18 Deg.C.
It must be opened at least three hours prior to serving and preferably decanted.
The wine is oak aged, and bottled unfiltered and unfined, therefore its full flavour is retained in the bottle, requiring breathing to mellow it and rid it of any undesired natural aromas.
A wine for the long haul, which can be aged up to ten years in adequate storing conditions.
Price: Eur 14.75

Melqart 2007.

MELQART: Cabernet-Sauvignon and Merlot Blend 2007 DOK.
12% alcohol, medium-bodied, blend of two noble grape varietes. Barrel-aged, unfiltered and unfined, blended from the same varietals as the Celsius and the Nexus, resulting in a smooth, enjoyable red wine. Moderate tannins, with ripe berry and raisins flavours. Can be paired with most meat dishes, pasta, and pizza, Maltese and Med cuisine; cheese.
Price: Eur13.75

Mistral Chardonnay 2006.

MISTRAL: Premium Chardonnay 2006.

Amber and clear in colour.

14% alcohol. This wine is barrel-fermented and not just barrel-aged, thus extracting the full strong flavout of the oak barriques. It is produced from ripe Chardonnay grapes and feremented on its lees in new French oak barriques. This wine is now five years old, and for a white wine of Malta this is nearing the top, in my opinion. Nevertheless, the sample bottle that I have taste-tested for this review, produced a wine that is amber in colour showing the age, but which is very clear and brilliant. The oak flavour, both on the nose as well as in the mouth is taken to the edge, strong, buttered toast, pear compote and pineapple elements, with a sherry after taste in the mouth, dry.The wine is intense and concentrated, and as I said earlier thoroughly oaked.
This is a livishly oaked premium Chardonnay, and consequently is not easy to pair with food, due to its very strong , oaky flavours which carry through to the finish. Such a wine needs to be paired with luxurious cuisine and suggested dishes that might pair well are preparations such as poached salmon with a rich caper and butter sauce; lobster pappardelle with chive butter; veal and pork in lavish cream; and cheeses such as a Zamorano sheep's cheese from Spain, Garroxta goats' cheese also from Spain; a Fontana D'Aosta from Italy, and possibly a good Camembert.
Price: Eur17.0
Serving temperature: Chilled 12Deg. C.
Some breathing time with the bottle opened at least two hours before serving and decanting will enhance the flavour of this wine.

ISIS 2010.

ISIS: Chardonnay of Malta 2010 DOK.
12% alcohol. Unoaked chardonnay, straw yellow in colour, crisp, smooth, citrusy flavours with crisp and lively acidity.Medium bodied white wine with rich apple, citrus-lemon and grapefruit, and tropical fruit aromas and palate.
Pairs well with fish, seafood, shellfish, white meats-chicken, veal and pork. Pasta and risotto marinara, pizza. Also nice on its own.
Price: Eur 12.
Serving Temperature: Chilled 10 to 12 Deg.C.

Astarte 2009.

ASTARTE: Vermentino of Malta 2009 DOK.
12% alcohol unoaked blend of Vermentino and Chardonnay and possibly other Mediterranean grape varieties.
Greenish in colour, clear and brilliant. Citrus and apricot, with hints of almonds flavours. Floral on the nose and very refreshing.
Pairs with most foods as for the ISIS.
Serving temperature:10Deg.C.
Price: Eur9.21

Fenici Red 2009
Fenici white 2010.

THE FENICI RANGE:
Meridiana produce two wines, designed for export and the mass market, light, bright and simple to quaff,  but nevertheless these wines are produced with meticulous care and attention and come with a price tag which is above other similat wines. Both wines are to be consumed young.

FENICI WHITE 2010 is a blend of Vermentino and Viogner both varieties are sourced from neighbouring vineyards, and not estate grown. Lightly vinified in a mellow and easy drinking style. Apricot, citrus and green apple flavours. Designd to be consumed on its own or with light meals, pasta. pizza, fish, etc.
Serving temperature 10 to 12 Deg.C.


FENICI RED 2009 is a blend of Syrah and Merlot of Malta, harvested from the company's estate.
 Flavours of ripe plum from the Merlot and with hints of strawberry and raisins from the Syrah.
An everyday, easy drinking red wine. Pairs well with Maltese cuisine, rabbit, red meats, baked pasta, etc.
Serving Temperature: 16 to 17 deg. C.
Price of the Fenici range is about Eur8.0

In wine tasting, it has to be borne in mind that wines vary with time, conditions of storage, and conditions of tasting. Wine tasting is therefore an intrinsically subjective process, and for wines such as the above to be enjoyed, they have to be paired with the correct food, whether it is an everyday home meal, or an otherwise elaborate  dinner with connoisseur cuisine. The above selections from Meridiana Wine Estate offer a very good choice for all these occassions.

Mistral tasting.

ISIS 2010 - Astarte 2009.

Nexus, Celsius, Bel
Connoisseurs' choices.