December 2021 - The Phoenicia Malta

5 Wineries to Visit in Malta

Malta is certainly one of the smallest wine-producing countries in the world. With 800 hectares of vineyards at the very most and wines not often exported outside the archipelago, its production is a source of intrigue. A trip to these islands is an opportunity to discover this dynamic wine industry, whilst reconnecting with its long history.

In this blog we shall be listing 5 wineries you can visit while staying at The Phoenicia Malta. Some have been established for quite some time whilst others are relatively new and of a boutique nature. All of them, however, offer lovely wines which will surely delight every wine lover visiting the islands.

1. Marsovin

Marsovin is a household name in Malta, synonymous with the production of premium wines. Marsovin owns 199.7 tumoli of land which make up their five Estates. These Estates, in Malta and Gozo are specifically intended for the production of premium quality, single-estate wines. It also contracts a total of 1116 tumoli around Malta & Gozo. Marsovin is famous for their summer events on their estates, such as ‘Marnisi under the Stars’.

2. Mar Casar

Mar Casar is a winery located in Siggiewi, on the west coast of Malta. It produces premium quality natural vegan and gluten free wines fermented using Methode QVEVRI. Grapes are grown under holistic permaculture, pesticide, herbicide and systemic chemicals free. Methode Qvevri makes use of Terracotta conical vases produced by Georges Kopadzde in Shroa, region of Imereti in Eastern Georgia (Caucasus).

3. San Niklaw

San Niklaw is located in the South-East corner of Malta where roads from Zejtun, Marsaxlokk and Marsascala converge. At the centre of the estate lies a 17th century chapel dedicated to St Nicholas attached to a country residence. The estate is composed of vineyards, an olive grove and a boutique winery and underground cellar dating back to the late 19th century. The vineyards were established in 2005 with the sole aim of producing estate grown world class wines.

4. Ta' Betta

Ta’ Betta Wine Estates is a four-hectare estate in Girgenti, limits of Siġġiewi. A private estate, immersed in a landscape of rare beauty and enjoying a view of the vineyard with the medieval city of Mdina in the background. Ta’ Betta produces fine wines and hosts exclusive wine events within its private grounds for its club members and discerning clients. The estate is beautifully done up, whereby attention to detail is evident.

5. Ta' Mena

Ta’ Mena Estate is an agritourism in Gozo, which includes a winery, a fruit and vegetable garden, area for events and more. Through their produce, they make their own olive oil, liquers, wine, and much more. Their wines are described as having a particular Gozitan character and most of the blends have been certified as GOZO D.O.K. Wines.

At The Phoenicia Malta we are proud of our local winemakers, which is why we endeavour to stock a variety of these local Maltese wines at The Phoenix Restaurant, The Club Bar or our Poolside restaurant. Ask your sommelier for their recommendation or alternatively speak to our concierge to book a private wine tasting tour.

6 Things to do in Malta

Despite the small size, Malta and its sister island Gozo have many sights and activities for you and your travel companions to enjoy. With its rich past, the Maltese islands are a treasure trove for history and culture aficionados. The same can be said for those who are more outdoorsy or even interested in gastronomy. Whatever sparks your interest, you surely won’t be disappointed while on holiday in Malta.

Below, we have put together a few activities you may wish to experience whilst in Malta.

1. Spend a day in Valletta

Step out of The Phoenicia Malta hotel and walk into Valletta, the capital of Malta. Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage site, well known for its incredible churches, palaces, and museums. Enjoy the day visiting the new Parliament building, Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens, limestone streets, MUZA art museum, and then stop at one the many restaurants and cafés for lunch or coffee.

2. Day Trip to Gozo Island

Gozo, with its spectacular scenery, gorgeous beaches, and fascinating historical sites, is an island worth visiting. Walk through Citadel, a fortified city like Mdina in mainland Malta, or Marsalforn, the main resort town, with its excellent outdoor cafes and restaurants. Ir-Ramla il-Hamra (Ramla Bay) is the largest sandy beach on Gozo Island.

3. Diving

The Maltese islands offer some of the best diving in the Mediterranean and even in the world. With its numerous caves, reefs and wrecks, which can be reached from either the shore or by boat, diving in Malta is suitable for beginners, advanced and technical divers. Dive shops may be found across both main islands.

4. Day Trip to Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon, located on the island of Comino, the smallest of the Maltese archipelago, is one of Malta’s not-so-hidden gems. It is a must-visit spot known for its crystal-clear blue waters and jagged cliffs. The beach is very easily accessible via boat crossings located in the North, or even day trips departing from the Sliema area. Facilities are limited on the island, however one can find a number of food trucks which provide all you need for a day at the beach.

5. Visit the Best Beaches in Malta

Given that Malta is an island, beaches are expected. Across the coast, one can find numerous picturesque beaches, some of which are rocky whilst others are sandy. The most popular sandy beaches to visit in Malta include Ghar Tuffieha, Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay, and Paradise Bay. The best rocky beaches include Ghajn Lapsi, St Thomas Bay, St Paul’s Bay and Sliema seafront.

6. Taste History Experience

Taste History is an experience created by the Maritime Museum that engages the senses and allows you to taste ancient recipes enjoyed in Malta in an unconventional context, a museum. Following extensive research, a professional team of curators and chefs come together to recreate the paupers’ frugal snacks, the corsair’s celebratory dinner, the Grand Master’s wine list, the inquisitor’s lent dinner and the Merchant’s decadent dessert. The results are as surprising as the flavours which have been brought back to life. Book your private event here.

Base yourself at The Phoenicia Malta, perfectly situated just outside the capital city of Valletta, and take advantage of our Offers & Packages.

Maltese Culinary Traditions Then and Now

Every country has its own culinary traditions, and experiencing these traditions in person is part of the beauty of travelling. Feasts and celebrations are often accompanied by traditional foods, enjoyed solely during that event. As often happens, things may change over time.

Today, we shall be listing three famous Maltese food items, which were typically prepared for specific events, but which are now enjoyed throughout the year.

Honey rings adorn confectionary windows all year round. Originally, this sweet was a celebrative food available solely during the Christmas period. The earliest visual representation of the 𝑄𝑎𝑔ħ𝑎𝑞 𝑡𝑎𝑙-𝐺ħ𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑙 [honey ring] in Malta to-date was painted by Pasquale Leonetti, possibly of Sicilian origin, in 1762. The image above (main photo) was taken by Daniel Cilia and is located in the Refectory of the former Jesuit retreat in Floriana, a five-minute walk from The Phoenicia Malta hotel.

𝐵𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑎 is a perfect example to attest how aspects of culinary cultures change through time. Today revered as a popular broad bean dip, two centuries ago served during funerals. The eighteenth century Gozitan Canon Agius De Soldanis records how 𝑏𝑒𝑔ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑎 was shared with the poor among the processional congregation accompanying the deceased to the funeral mass.

Imbuljuta tal-Qastan is a Maltese drink traditionally served after Midnight Mass and on New Year’s Eve. It is made using cocoa, chestnuts, cloves, and citrus zest. Nowadays most households enjoy preparing this throughout the year, especially during the cold winter months, due to its warm and comforting ingredients.

On the contrary, the following is a popular beverage enjoyed worldwide but which was not originally associated with an event:

Today, mulled wine is enjoyed as a Christmas drink across numerous countries. Did you know, however, that spiced wine dates back to the Romans in the 2nd century? The warmth of this beverage helped them through the freezing winter months, whilst the spices were believed to help ward off illness and disease. In the 17^th and 18^th century it was also given to women during childbirth as it was believed to aid the process. Mulled wine only started becoming associated with Christmas during the late 19th century.

At The Phoenicia Malta, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, we are proud of our culinary traditions, which is why our Executive Chef Daniel Debattista and his kitchen brigade often prepare such foods for our guests to enjoy.

Thank you to Taste History for these culinary insights.

A Chat with Master Perfumer Stephen Cordina

Photo credit: Stephen Cordina

Our Artist in Residence for the month of November saw master perfumer Stephen Cordina introduce an abundance of essences to The Phoenicia Malta, whereby guests learnt more about this fascinating world through the weekly lectures held at the hotel. We had a chat with Stephen to understand where his passion stems from and where he would like to take his brand.

“I have been fascinated by scents all my life. As a child helping my father in his agricultural fields, I loved collecting fresh fruit and herbs in the morning dew and put them together in my hands to see how they smell together”, he shares. Stephen adds that as a child he loved going through his mother’s perfume, which then progressed to spending hours at a local perfume shop as a teen, going through all their perfumes.

Stephen Cordina explains that his first real creation goes back to 2001, when he developed a series of Aromatherapy ointments for use in his practice which he also sold to clients. “My first commercial product, however, was a series of Scented Candle Hand Balms”, he explains. Cordina added that his range is now approaching 50 products with much more emphasis on natural perfumes and colognes.

When listening to Stephen speak, his immense knowledge on the subject is evident. “I attended various schools and at first this included going through all the botanical plants and their chemistry. It’s many years of study and 12 years of practice to become a Perfumer. It entails a lot of reading and travel to the plantations where the materials are extracted. Lectures are ongoing, as well as conferences and one-to-one sessions with perfume technicians.”

Stephen Cordina explains that the scents he creates are all made in Malta and based on extensive research. In fact, even the name of the fragrance is based on a real connection between the name and the contents of the fragrance itself. The time and energy put into his products is clear and he admits that he has no plans of slowing down any time soon. ‘The next step is a bigger factory and a shop abroad’, he declares enthusiastically.

We would like to wish Stephen success in his future endeavours. It has been a pleasure to host Malta’s own master aromatherapist, cosmetic scientist and perfumer at The Phoenicia Malta.