New Releases for Christmas

While winemakers in frigid climes hope they don’t have to make excuses for Father Christmas arriving a day late as the 2015 ice wine grape harvest has first to be brought into the winery should the first frost hit, few wineries located in warm regions are already occupied with the release of their new wines of the same vintage.

What we call the festive season (though I must say that with so many affordable locally made quality labels abound there’s reason to call most of the year pretty festive) is a specially busy period at the Delicata winery. Malta’s most-awarded winemaker has just bottled, packaged and distributed three different rosé wines as well as one crisp dry white from the Sauvignon Blanc variety, all from quality grapes which were 16 weeks ago still hanging on the Maltese vines.

The 2015 fresh rosés that come on the heels of last year’s sold out vintage are Medina Grenache Cabernet (Sauvignon and Franc), Victoria Heights Syrah (in Delicata’s Gozo-grown range) and the Classic Collection Rossini Syrah (in its third release year). Having tasted all wines, it’s hard to pick just one favourite. All three pink wines brim over with vibrant, zingy and ripe raspberry or strawberry fruity goodness which in the case of the Rossini is topped with less of a peppery dusting but a lovely candyfloss-like finish instead. And, Delicata’s popular Medina Sauvignon Blanc 2015 entices with a typical herbaceous nose of nettles and elderflower, an appropriate tangy attack and delightful flavours of Granny Smith apples and kiwi fruit.

Their timely arrival this side of Christmas is particularly cheerful news for wine enthusiasts who love their wines as fresh as possible and many catering establishments who have been patiently waiting to replenish much-asked-for stock.

I wish everyone a wonderful, wine-filled Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Enjoy in moderation and never drink and drive.