A native Maltese red grape making light, rustic reds and rosés. It has long been grown on terraced plots and was revived by Maltese estates from the 1990s, after decades of being blended away into bulk wine.
Wine is grown, not cooked, and made in a licensed cellar; there is no kitchen procedure behind it.
What goes into it
- Ġellewża grapes
- yeast
How it is made
The grapes are grown on small terraced plots in shallow limestone soil and picked in late summer. For red they are fermented on the skins, briefly — the variety gives little colour — and for rosé the juice is run off almost immediately. Most is bottled young.
How long it takes: one vintage a year
How it is eaten
Cool, with rabbit stew, ġbejniet and Maltese sausage.
History
An indigenous island variety long grown on terraced plots and revived by Maltese estates from the 1990s.
Frequently asked questions
What is Gellewza?
Gellewza is a wine & spirit from Malta: native Maltese red grape making light rustic reds and rosés. An indigenous island variety long grown on terraced plots and revived by Maltese estates from the 1990s.
How is Gellewza made?
The grapes are grown on small terraced plots in shallow limestone soil and picked in late summer. For red they are fermented on the skins, briefly — the variety gives little colour — and for rosé the juice is run off almost immediately. Most is bottled young. It takes one vintage a year.
Can I make Gellewza at home?
No, and the atlas gives no method for it. Wine is grown, not cooked, and made in a licensed cellar; there is no kitchen procedure behind it.
What goes into Gellewza?
Ġellewża grapes, yeast.
How is Gellewza eaten?
Cool, with rabbit stew, ġbejniet and Maltese sausage.
