Delicata Gran Cavalier Merlot strikes Gold and wins Press Prize in Italy

Delicata Winery, Malta’s most award-winning winemaker, just bagged not one, but two major wine awards – and it’s all about Merlot.

Delicata Winery is proud to announce that it has secured one Gold Medal and the prestigious Press Prize for its Gran Cavalier Merlot Riżerva D.O.K. Malta Superior of the 2023 vintage in the 2025 wine competition Emozioni dal Mondo Merlot e Cabernet Insieme.

This is an esteemed international wine contest held annually in Bergamo, Italy. The event is unique in that it exclusively judges wines made from Merlot and/or Cabernet grapes, making it a highly specialised and competitive forum for wines of this calibre.

The 2023 Gran Cavalier Merlot Riżerva, which has recently been release to market, achieved the top Gold honour, praised by the judges for its elegance, depth of fruit and Maltese character. In addition, the wine was singled out by a special panel of international wine journalists for the Press Prize, which is awarded to the highest-scoring gold-medal winner of a country.

Under the stewardship of Delicata’s winemaking team, Gran Cavalier Merlot Riżerva is a richly textured barrique-aged and bottle-matured Merlot, profusely perfumed with a classic sweet-leafiness anchored by a dark gravitas of plum and cassis. It carries the hallmark balance and finesse that Delicata has long championed.

Gold Medal 2025

“Maltese wines by Delicata are being recognised by wine professionals and people in the know,” said Matthew Delicata, head winemaker at the family-run winery. “The quality is there for all to discover and enjoy. However, this is a very rare wine, produced in smaller quantities than even the blue-chip first growths of Bordeaux.”

This latest double accolade further cements Delicata’s reputation on the world stage. It continues the winery’s tradition of excelling in highly competitive international contests and reinforces the distinctiveness and quality potential of Maltese terroir.

The awarding body’s competition this year drew entries from 27 countries, with stringent judging and strict medal thresholds, making both the Gold and Press Prize recognitions all the more significant. At this year’s Emozioni dal Mondo Merlot e Cabernet Insieme, 77 critics from around the world made up the judging panels. The Organisation Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin oversaw the legitimacy of each Gold Medal.

Delicata extends its thanks to its viticulture and cellar teams as well as all partners who support its mission of producing world-class Maltese wines.