13 - 19 January 2000

Delicata goes international to overcome lack of vineyard

by Anthony Manduca

Delicata Winery's decision to produce wine in Italy under its own label is a result of the company's frustration at not having enough vineyards to produce its wine as a result of increased international demand. Bill Hermitage, one of Delicata's directors, told The Malta Business Weekly that Bacissimo, the new range of quality Italian DOC Friuli Grave wines produced by Delicata Italia was directed primarily at export markets. "As a result of Delicata having exported its wines we created an international awareness and a demand for our wines. Unfortunately we simply cannot produce enough of wine to meet the international demand. We cannot re-export the wines we produce in Malta using Italian grapes because of labelling restrictions so our only option was to produce our wines in another country and then export them," Mr Hermitage said.

Mr Hermitage said that while Delicata had planted 53 new vineyards and was trying to increase its capacity to produce wines, there was absolutely no incentives from the government to encourage farmers to grow more vineyards. "A Euro MP recently told me that Malta should be planting as many vineyards as possible before it joins the EU because the EU is concerned about wine lakes and has therefore restricted the planting of new vineyards throughout Europe. In fact the EU's vineyard area is only allowed to increase by two per cent every years and that two per cent has to be divided between all the member States," he said.

Mr Hermitage said that many wineries in the world have started to make wine in another country. "Australian wines are produced in Sicily and Italian wines are produced in Washington State. Why can't Maltese wines be produced in Italy?" he said.

Mr Hermitage said that the Baccissimo range of wines would be launched for the international market at the London Wine Fair later in the year. "Delicata Italia is an alliance between Delicata and a leading Italian viticulturist and wine producer from Friuli, Forchir. We are responsible for the marketing of the wines while Forchir produce the wines, but they remain our brands," he said.

Mr Hermitage said that a number of Delicata agents have been appointed in markets which show the most potential for demand of Delicata Italia wine, namely the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway and Canada. The wines are also available in Malta.

Forchir, a new wine producer known for its viticultural expertise and vast area of vineyards in Friuli Venezia Gulia, north eastern Italy, covers over 220 hectares. The vines are grown using low impact environmental techniques laid down by EU legislation. Some of the vineyards have been producing grapes since the 1600s and were once owned by the nobility. Forchir's relationship with Delicata dates back to the mid-1980s.

This Maltese Italian alliance between Delicata and Forchir has created a direct line between the hot Mediterranean and the cooler Adriatic. Since the alliance was first discussed in 1996, George Delicata and Gianfranco Bianchini have been busy applying Italian viticultural techniques and Maltese winemaking skills to create a range of fine exciting new wines.

Bacissimo is a passionate brand that has been created by Delicata to meet specific consumer criteria; drinkability and value; easy to pronounce branding; attractive stylish packaging; appealing to those with an affinity for Italian wines with the added flair of hot climate winemaking skills and finally consistency of quality, which is the pre-requisite of a strong brand.

Bacissimo, the new range of quality Italian DOC Friuli Grave wines produced by Delicata Italia, consist of a 1999 Pinot Grigio, 1999 Chardonnay, 1998 Refosco, 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon and a fully sparkling Bacissimo Brut Spumante made in the Charmat Lungo method that has been maturing in bottle for two years.

The Bacissimo 1998 Refosco and 1999 Pinot Grigio are fruity, easy drinking, aromatic red and white wines ideal on their own or to accompany foods.

The Bacissimo 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon and 1999 Chardonnay are more complex wines that have benefited from oak fermentation and maturation. Both fuller bodied and fuller flavoured, they make the ideal accompaniment to richer, fuller foods.

Finally, the Bacissimo Brut Spumante is a dry fully sparkling white wine made using the Charmat Lungo method. Its two-year process includes 12 months yeast contact adding complexity and character to delicate sparkling wine.

Like so many other leading winemakers, Delicata now becomes a truly "international" winemaker. Spanish winemaker Miguel Torres now produces wines in Chile and California; Californian winemaker Robert Mondavi produces wine in Italy; Italian winemaker Pierro Antinori produces wine in America; and Australian winemakers BRI Hardy produce wines in Sicily. Following in their footsteps Delicata now produces wine in Italy as well as in Malta.

Italy is being courted by some of the world's most successful wine companies. The potential for making quality wine in Italy has not just been leapt upon by its own producers. Over the last five years the country has caught the eye of some very heavyweight foreign wine companies and a number of joint ventures and acquisitions are now producing some exciting wines. While some are winemaking projects, with outside winemakers bringing technical know-how and creativity to an existing operation, others are start-ups or innovative alliances.