In what was described as a historic day for the Maltese wine industry by Minister for Rural Affairs and Environment George Pullicino, 17 wines from five Maltese producers received the Denominazzjoni ta’ Origini Kontrollata (DOK) certification yesterday.
Minister Pullicino explained that for the first time in the history of production of Maltese wines, 17 wines from the vineyards of Marsovin, Camilleri Wines, Delicata, Monte Cristo and Meridiana have been produced under DOK certification.
“Today, Malta’s position as a wine producer will be strengthened in the context of European wines,” he said.
He explained that the DOK certification is based on EU legislation and, as a result, the consumer is assured that the wine is made according to the highest certification.
Mr Pullicino said he was very satisfied and proud that Maltese wines managed to reach this level – even though it was not an easy process.
“The negotiations with the EU were very difficult and Malta managed to achieve a very good package with around 950 hectares of land dedicated to vines and over Lm0.5 million in funding to plant vines according to the highest criteria,” he said.
The minister spoke about the fear, before and after Malta’s EU membership, among wine producers that there was no future for this sector especially due to the open market achieved with EU membership.
“However, I strongly believe that an open market should be seen as an opportunity and as an incentive for us to modernise and improve the quality of our products,” said Mr Pullicino.
He added that competitiveness should not only be based on the price of the product but also be emphasised through an effective strategy of quality marketing.
“In fact, the ministry will sponsor two programmes on State television to educate consumers about the different qualities of Maltese wines,” he said.
Mr Pullicino explained that the DOK certification will guarantee Maltese and foreign consumers that the product was made following regulations that ensure quality of the highest level.
“The scheme also includes analysis of the products in an accredited enoteca – the Enoteca di Siena,” he said.
The minister said the enoteca was set up in 1933 to ensure that all Italian wines were of the highest quality and this collaboration will ensure the highest quality for Maltese products with a DOK certification said Mr Pullicino.
Furthermore, he added, a website – www.maltaqualitywines.com – with all the information about Maltese wines will be launched in the near future.
Parliamentary secretary for Agriculture and Fisheries Frans Agius explained that the wine sector is of great importance at both local and EU level.
However, he added, high quality wines cannot be produced unless it is based on rigid criteria.
Malta was allocated e1.5 million between 2009 and 2015 that will benefit farmers who grow grapes, said Mr Agius.
“These funds will strengthen Maltese and Gozitan vineyards and help the promotion of the local product in other countries,” he added.
Once again, Mr Agius stressed the importance of studying the changes in the production of wine as an opportunity and not as a burden.
“It is important to supply the market with what it needs without compromising the quality of the product,” he said.