A hallmark in the production of Maltese wines was marked this year and in line with EU regulations as two new categories of wine will be produced for the first time this year, Agriculture and Fisheries Parliamentary Secretary Francis Agius said during the launch of the first IGT wine “Novello” by the MonteKristo Vineyards Ltd.
Dr Agius explained that the highest category is that of quality wines produced in specified regions (QWPSR) which carry the designation of Denominazzjoni ta’ Origini Kontrollata (DOK).
The second category falls under that of table wines with a geographic indication which have the designation of Indikazzjoni Geografika Tipika. As the category names imply in both cases, the emphasis is on the origin of the grapes from which the wine is made together with minimum quality parameters being adhered to.
The latter are known as production protocols and to-date three have been recognised by the Department of Agriculture after being reviewed by the Wine Regulation Board, which is the official consultation body of the ministry with regards to policies on wines. Two of the approved protocols belong to the DOK denomination covering “Malta” and “Gozo” DOK wines and the third belongs to the IGT category covering “Maltese Islands” IGT wines.
Dr Agius said that these production protocols, which have been presented by a consortium made up of wineries, producer organisations and farmer associations, specify the minimum quality parameters of the wine grapes being utilised, those of the wine itself and the processes allowed and labelling. The latter is of utmost importance since under these two quality schemes it is not up to the winemaker to declare the category of the wine but it will be the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment which shall be awarding the category after rigorous controls and final approval of all labelling content.
The controls and certification are being carried out by the Viticulture and Oenology Unit through its officials, who have taken samples from vineyards which have been registered under these schemes and from participating wineries. The ultimate goal is to assure the level of quality specified by the production protocols and the true origin of the grapes used through a traceability exercise.
Dr Agius said he was proud to see and be present for the first wine to be certified under the “Maltese Islands” IGT denomination that is Montekristo Vineyards Ltd’s new wine bearing the “Novello” mention. This wine has undergone the necessary controls and has been certified by the Viticulture and Oenology Unit in accordance with Legal Notice 167 of 2007 and Legal Notice 190 of 2006. The Unit is also currently processing various applications received under both quality schemes from the participating wineries. Samples of wines submitted for certification under the D.O.K. scheme will be collected and sent for further quality checks, including an organoleptic analysis, which are also required by EU legislation.