Wine Reviews
 
 
 

SPAIN – The iconic wine of Spain.

 
 
 
 
 
 
July 12, 2017
 



Wine Feature. Spain – The third wine exporting country in the world Author:  Reno Spiteri – ACWP., CCTP., BBA (Project Management). Certified Wine Professional Certified Culinary Travel Professional Professional Member of the Society of Wine Educators (USA)   Spain is the third leading producer of wine in the world and trails only behind France and Italy. In 2016 Spain exported over $3 billion of wine all over the world. The Spanish produce some of the greatest red wine in the world, with various of their new, modern-style white wines receiving critical acclaim. Spain’s sparkling wines, known as Cava are second only to those of Champagne, and they also produce one of the world’s classic fortified wines viz: Sherry.   Having said this it would be logical to assume that the wines of Spain are as well-known as those of France and Italy, but surprisingly this is not the case.     W...
 

Wine Faults.

 
February 13, 2015
 



So what do you know about wine faults? Wine Faults: By: Reno Spiteri, BBA (Mngt)., Dip.M., ACWP.   There are a considerable number of wine faults and flaws which are common knowledge, such as oxidation, cork taint often referred to as corked wine, heat damage due to bad storage, etc. There are also many obscure faults that are dealt with in textbooks, and which may be found in home-made wines, but which are not common in mainstream commercial wines. Here, I shall endeavour to name some of the most important flaws and faults that might occur in wine not only during the production stage, that is, after the grapes had been harvested, but even slightly before, when the grapes are still on the vine. The main faults, but, do occur and develop during the production stage, and some even in the bottle.     Varietal Character or Fault: Hydrogen Sulphide; Sulphides and Marcaptans. Hydrogen sulphide formation, w...
 

A Wine Professional’s Notes

 
 
 
 
 
 
September 29, 2014
 



  A Wine Professional's Notes - It is easy to become a wine professional with a bit of study. By: Reno Spiteri, BBA., CCTP., ACWP., Dip.Marketing    It is not the first time, that I happen to be entertaining guests at a restaurant, or giving advice to someone about wine selections for a private occasion, and even sometimes when one happens to strike a conversation with a restaurateur, or even overhears someone ordering a wine, that as far as they know wine falls just under two categories. It's either Red or White (or in more incongruous and daft situations, someone might also add another category - Rose D'Anjou - yes that's correct not just Rose', but you read well, Rose D'Anjou!). One has to sympathize with such a mentality or lack of knowledge, because the subject of wine is a vast and intricate one, but also one that has its rewards in the enjoyment of this exquisite beverage, especially if one knows what he is on abou...
 

Viticulture Notes

 
 
 
 
 
 
September 22, 2014
 



Viticulture Notes by Reno Spiteri, BBA (Mngt).,Dip. Mrkt., ACWP It is a sacrosanct  fact, that is advocated by most wine professionals that high quality wine can only be produced from high quality fruit. This means that great wines and top quality wines are made in the vineyard, in fact 80 per cent of quality winemaking happens in the vineyard. There are a host of factors, both in the vineyard as well as in the winery that can affect the final product as it goes through the various procedures and is finally bottled and sealed. Even so, some top quality wines require further aging in the bottle, in some cases even for years rather than months, in adequate and temperature controlled cellars before they are released for sale to the consumer.   Many believe that the whole character of wine can be achieved in the winery, through modern equipment and new techniques, or through age-old traditional winemaking practices. Others incl...

Wine Consumption In The Maltese Islands - 2013. by Reno Spiteri BBA., Dip.Mrkt., ACWP.   Wine consumption in each different country around the world is normally calculated on a per capita basis, taking the estimated annual consumption in litres and dividing by the population in each particular country. Theoretically this results in a figure which indicates the amount of wine that each man, woman, and child, regardless of age consume in that country, every year.  These globalised and general statistics are compiled and published by the Wine Institute every year. Although this might give an indication of volume from a business point of view, the assumption taken on the basis of the total population, and not taking into consideration  tourist intake into each country,  and the absence of an all inclusive demographic study of the local population plus tourist intake combined,  including drinking trends in accordance with ag...