Sommelier
Compiling a list for such a varied and wide-ranging style of food with a number of ethnic influences is not an easy task.
The process starts with selecting the best possible bottling of wines that are considered as local favourites. Then comes the selection of the little gems that are bound to give prestige but also depth and interest to the list.
In Malta finding these bottlings might become a task in itself as older vintages or rare labels are not as readily available and so have to be purposely shipped or bought at specialized auctions.
The last part and the section that is closest to my heart is personalisation. In my opinion for a list to be different, the person that compiles it must let his passion for a style of wine or grape variety transpire into the list.
I am hereby excusing myself if the passion I have for Shiraz~Syrah has overwhelmed me and the list, but I can put your mind at rest that the bottles of this variety I am presenting to you are not easy to come by are considered as 'little gems' in wine terminology.
Legend tells us that Shiraz~Syrah was brought to France by a returning crusader, Chevalier Guy de Sterimberg who settled as a hermit on the hill of Hermitage in the Rhone valley. Others claim that the grape originated in the village of Shiraz in Persia and was already present in the Rhone valley by Roman times.
What is sure is that James Busby introduced it in Australia in 1832.
Viticulturally Syrah as it is known in France is identical to Shiraz as it is known in Australia and South Africa, but the resulting wines taste very different. Australian versions taste much sweeter and riper, more suggestive of chocolate than the pepper and spices often associated with Syrah in the Rhone.
But I am sure that on this you can reach your own conclusion. I wish you a pleasant meal and as I raise my glass, I propose a toast to your good health.