On 12 November, the Mayor of Valladolid, Francisco Javier León de la Riva, the Regional Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Silvia Clemente, and the Ambassador of Malta to Spain, Dr. Tanya Vella officially inaugurated the International Wine and Spirits Contest (CINVE'2012) in Valladolid. Isabel Mijares y Garcia-Pelayo, well-known winemakers and technical director of CINVE, presented the event.

This year’s international competition received more than 500 wine samples, 120 of them from the prestigious wines of Castilla y León. Maltese wineries are participating for the first time in this event thanks to the generous cooperation of the Maltese Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs. When asked why CINVE, Malta’s Ambassador to Spain, Dr Tanya Vella stated that Maltese and Gozitan wineries are less well known on the international markets. Our Embassies are the most natural partners to showcase Maltese and Gozitan products”. “Participating in reputable competitions such as CINVE gives our wines additional exposure in international markets and the chance to compete internationally with the finest wines of Castilla Leon. Wineries from France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal, US, Mexico  and Thailand are also competing. “Most participants have never heard of Malta as a wine making destination. It puts us on the map and also opens up international markets to our producers”. “Participating in this festival is also a homecoming, a reminder of our historical links to Spain and Castille” Ambassador Vella concluded.  The Regional Government of Castilla and Leon, the Provincial Government of Valladolid and the Local Council of Valladolid have also supported the celebration of this year's CINVE in this capital city which boasts over 575 wineries and 65,000 hectares of vineyards.