RARE GRAPE VARIETAL RESOURCE

Girgentina is a white grape from the Maltese archipelago, whose origins are shrouded in mystery. Evidence of early winemaking in the Maltese archipelago—on the islands of Malta, Gozo, and Comino—was discovered during recent archeological excavations that found grape harvesting and processing tools dating back to 500 AD. The islands’ landscape and climate (typically Mediterranean but hotter and wetter than other regions) are difficult to manage. Because of this climate, grapes ripen quickly. Working in the vineyards is extremely hard due to high temperatures, so grapes are harvested early in the morning, in late July. The Girgentina grape is named after a town on the southwest coast of the island of Malta. Wine made from this grape is delicate and fresh with and alcohol content of just 10%. Girgentina wines are suitable both as an aperitif and to accompany any light meal. Until the 90s, only two local grape varieties were grown in the Maltese vineyards, including Girgentina. When international varieties (such as chardonnay and merlot) were introduced, the cultivation of local varieties began to decline. Thankfully, in the past decade, interest in these local, almost extinct varieties has started to increase.

(Courtesy of Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity – Ark of Taste) https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/girgentina-grape/