Marsovin’s Marnisi the first premium Maltese wine to be certified as ‘Organic’

Express Trailers to support Alive2018 cycling charity

Express Trailers will be supporting this year’s ALIVE2018 Cycling Challenge for Cancer by providing all the logistics and transporting cycling equipment from Malta to Austria. Besides this logistical support, Express Trailers is also supporting one of its employees, who is currently training to take part in this gruelling 1,200-kilometre challenge.

Amanda Bellizzi, in fact, has been training since March for this epic Transalp cycling challenge due to start on 19 July. Together with the rest of the group, she will be cycling approximately 170 kilometres a day for seven days, from Vienna to Salzburg, through the Brenner Pass, along Lake Garda to Milan. The group is expected to reach its destination on 28 July.

“This is my second time taking part in this challenge, since I also did it last year and I can say it was an amazing and unforgettable experience,” said Amanda. “This is why I decided to take up the challenge again this year, because I find it inspiring that I get to practise a sport I love and raise important funds for a noble cause.”

All athletes follow a demanding training programme, given that the challenge requires dedication and commitment. The whole group meets every Sunday for group training but all participants are expected to clock their own training hours during the week.

“I feel very proud of the fact that our company, Express Trailers, not only encourages me to participate, but is also making a donation to this cause and is supporting the whole team through the logistics involved, given that Express Trailers enjoys business connections and effects regular deliveries between Malta and Austria,” added Amanda.

An avid cyclist, Franco Azzopardi, the chairman and CEO of Express Trailers, knows a thing or two about the challenges of long-distance cycling and commended Ms Bellizzi for her commitment and for dedicating her time and effort to such a noble cause.

“Cycling is a sport very close to my heart but the reason the company is supporting this challenge also stems from the fact that we are constantly advocating for safer roads for more vulnerable road users, such as cyclists. We are also very proud of our committed employee, who has chosen to dedicate her time and effort to this noble cause. The least we can do is to ensure that our logistical support contributes to a successful adventure,” said Mr Azzopardi. Marsovin’s Marnisi has become the first Maltese wine in the premium category to be certified organic and awarded the official seal of ‘Organic Wine’. This was announced by CEO and fourthgeneration family member Jeremy Cassar at an exclusive tasting event held for the press at the Marsovin Cellars.

Describing the process of achieving this milestone, Mr Cassar said: “We are very proud to be the first Maltese winery to successfully produce a premium organic wine. Although, Marnisi already enjoys popularity among the Maltese, we felt that converting to ‘organic’ status would further increase the selection of wine available to wine lovers on the island, and add further value to the Maltese wine industry.”

Mr Cassar went on to explain the challenges of the rigorous three-year organic certification process that Marsovin embarked on for this project. It followed strict EU legislation standards and criteria, with samples being periodically tested in German laboratories contracted by the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority – the European Union’s recognised local control authority for organic certification in collaboration with the government’s agriculture directorate.

The organic conversion process began with the application of organic farming practices at the Marnisi Estate in Marsaxlokk, where an area covering 2.8 hectares makes this the largest expanse of organically farmed vines anywhere in Malta. In order to have organically grown grapes, Marsovin’s viticulturists engaged in an entirely different set of practices to maintain their vines. Following the successful vineyard conversion period, the harvested grapes were transferred to the winery, where an alternative winemaking approach was employed to focus on the use of a specific list of ingredients used for organic vinification.

As a result of all this, Marnisi 2016 is now the first certified Maltese wine launched locally for market sale as ‘organic wine’.

The 2016 vintage was characterised by warmerthan-normal temperatures and drier weather dur- ing the winter months, followed by relatively mild temperatures throughout summer. These elements allowed for very good grape maturity and, thus, an exceptional vintage year. The resultant wine, Marnisi 2016, portrays a concentrated, complex and layered wine that is very approachable in its infancy and will keep drinking well in the years to come.