Day Twelve----September 8th, The Walled City of Mdina, Mdina Glass, Super Gold Jewellers, Marsovin Winery
Second Day On Own
This was our second day on our own thanks to having a driver and vehicle supplied by MTA. It actually isn't brain surgery to plan out one's own itinerary and being your own guide does have its advantages. You can stay as long as you wish at any place and should there be a problem in getting somewhere, as long as one has not made previous commitments, one can add/delete at will.
The MTA was kind enough secure the introductory and entry letters from to various heritage sites which made the act of getting into these places very easy. The days were going by very stress less and proactive. Our goal of course was, as before, to show all of Malta in the best possible light and we could not have had we driven ourselves----God forbid, we saw the roads and how our drivers knew their way around. No way we could have done that and kept driving safe. Thank you MTA for allowing us to keep in one piece (as well as all the others along the way).
Mdina
The "Silent City" as most call it was first constructed by the Phoenicians. The strategic site was obviously noticed by all who came and built here. The Roman Governor had his palace built here and of course the Arabs finished the major work on the city (Mdina means "city" in Arabic).
It was the Normans under Roger of Normandy who completed the heavy fortifications here making the walled city look almost invulnerable. After a devastating earthquake in the 17th Century, the Knights of St. John helped to restore part of the city.
One of the very famous persons to live there is reputed to be the Apostle Paul who was shipwrecked in Malta and converted the population to Christianity.
To enter the city was like entering a time warp. It isn't hard to imagine how the people lived and went about their daily duties within its walls. Entering the bridge to the city brought visions of knights on horseback coming across the drawbridge as it came down over the moat circling the hundred foot high walls. I could imagine the vicious battles that took place and the hardships of the people inside as well as outside.
And what of the invaders? Their climbing the walls only to have hot liquid and spears thrown at them----many of them falling to their deaths at the bottom of the castle rocks. This is my imagination but I bet it could have been far worse. For us who live in relatively peaceful times, this is unthinkable but it happened. It just shows how far man will go to purvey his own brand of ideology-----and defend it!
Mdina Glass/Anthony's Filagree/Super Gold Jewellers
After Mdina, Greg and I visited the Mdina Glass at Crafts Village (Rabat). Here they make products out of hand blown glass. The work they do is amazing and intricate. Not your average glass place. Joseph Said, Managing Director of the place gave us a tour and allowed us to see a demonstration of the making of glass products. All I can say is that it was a hot day and it was even hotter near the furnace that the glass was made near. The workers are all well trained and very talented. Objects where then cleaned and put on for sale. This was not a small store and had hundreds if not thousands of pieces at various price ranges. A good tourist place to visit.
Next we went to Anthony's Filagree/Super Gold Jewellers who did the same thing as the Mdina glass but with Gold and Silver. Alfred Ciantar gave us a tour of the establishment and we watched young ladies make some very fine silver Maltese crosses as tours of people came in to see them. Again there was various products for sale ranging from nice tourist trinkets to very expensive and serious pieces. It was a pleasure seeing how the many objects that I valued as I visited Malta years ago were made.
Our next venture was a quick lunch at the Butcher's Grill where I had a good old Hamburger and fries and Greg had some pasta. We had an obvious beverage match----Water! I don't think that I ever had so much water in my life as at that time. It was so hot and humid that it did not take much to sweat and a change of clothes warranted twice a day.
Marsovin Winery
We went to Marnisi Vineyards owned by Marsovin, the largest wine company in Malta. They had just finished most of their harvest but still had some Cabernet to do. Philip Muscat gave us a tour of the vineyard. We spoke briefly on Argi-Tourism and then went to taste some wines at the company wine cellars.
Prior to the tasting, we saw the impressive wine cellars which used to be a store house for the Knights some centuries ago. Amazing how these cellars are still in excellent condition and perfect temperature.
Wines
Cassar De Malte: Traditional Method sparkling wine made from Chardonnay grapes though I thought I tasted another variety also but----! The wine was matured on "lees" for three to six months. Nose: Bread and yeast, some toastiness, nice fruit and floral notes. Palate: Nice mouth feel, clean and pleasant finish.
Antonin Blanc: Named after the founder, these wines are made from Chardonay grapes and fermented in new oak for three months. Nose: vanilla, butter, toast Palate: citrus, apple, vanilla.
Antonin Noir: Blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Nice fruit flavours and excellent integrity. Nose: black fruit, cherry and some mint. Palate: Cassis, black currant and plum. Lingering finish.
End Of Day 12
This was our second day on our own thanks to having a driver and vehicle supplied by MTA. It actually isn't brain surgery to plan out one's own itinerary and being your own guide does have its advantages. You can stay as long as you wish at any place and should there be a problem in getting somewhere, as long as one has not made previous commitments, one can add/delete at will.
The MTA was kind enough secure the introductory and entry letters from to various heritage sites which made the act of getting into these places very easy. The days were going by very stress less and proactive. Our goal of course was, as before, to show all of Malta in the best possible light and we could not have had we driven ourselves----God forbid, we saw the roads and how our drivers knew their way around. No way we could have done that and kept driving safe. Thank you MTA for allowing us to keep in one piece (as well as all the others along the way).
Mdina
The "Silent City" as most call it was first constructed by the Phoenicians. The strategic site was obviously noticed by all who came and built here. The Roman Governor had his palace built here and of course the Arabs finished the major work on the city (Mdina means "city" in Arabic).
It was the Normans under Roger of Normandy who completed the heavy fortifications here making the walled city look almost invulnerable. After a devastating earthquake in the 17th Century, the Knights of St. John helped to restore part of the city.
One of the very famous persons to live there is reputed to be the Apostle Paul who was shipwrecked in Malta and converted the population to Christianity.
To enter the city was like entering a time warp. It isn't hard to imagine how the people lived and went about their daily duties within its walls. Entering the bridge to the city brought visions of knights on horseback coming across the drawbridge as it came down over the moat circling the hundred foot high walls. I could imagine the vicious battles that took place and the hardships of the people inside as well as outside.
And what of the invaders? Their climbing the walls only to have hot liquid and spears thrown at them----many of them falling to their deaths at the bottom of the castle rocks. This is my imagination but I bet it could have been far worse. For us who live in relatively peaceful times, this is unthinkable but it happened. It just shows how far man will go to purvey his own brand of ideology-----and defend it!
Mdina Glass/Anthony's Filagree/Super Gold Jewellers
After Mdina, Greg and I visited the Mdina Glass at Crafts Village (Rabat). Here they make products out of hand blown glass. The work they do is amazing and intricate. Not your average glass place. Joseph Said, Managing Director of the place gave us a tour and allowed us to see a demonstration of the making of glass products. All I can say is that it was a hot day and it was even hotter near the furnace that the glass was made near. The workers are all well trained and very talented. Objects where then cleaned and put on for sale. This was not a small store and had hundreds if not thousands of pieces at various price ranges. A good tourist place to visit.
Next we went to Anthony's Filagree/Super Gold Jewellers who did the same thing as the Mdina glass but with Gold and Silver. Alfred Ciantar gave us a tour of the establishment and we watched young ladies make some very fine silver Maltese crosses as tours of people came in to see them. Again there was various products for sale ranging from nice tourist trinkets to very expensive and serious pieces. It was a pleasure seeing how the many objects that I valued as I visited Malta years ago were made.
Our next venture was a quick lunch at the Butcher's Grill where I had a good old Hamburger and fries and Greg had some pasta. We had an obvious beverage match----Water! I don't think that I ever had so much water in my life as at that time. It was so hot and humid that it did not take much to sweat and a change of clothes warranted twice a day.
Marsovin Winery
We went to Marnisi Vineyards owned by Marsovin, the largest wine company in Malta. They had just finished most of their harvest but still had some Cabernet to do. Philip Muscat gave us a tour of the vineyard. We spoke briefly on Argi-Tourism and then went to taste some wines at the company wine cellars.
Prior to the tasting, we saw the impressive wine cellars which used to be a store house for the Knights some centuries ago. Amazing how these cellars are still in excellent condition and perfect temperature.
Wines
Cassar De Malte: Traditional Method sparkling wine made from Chardonnay grapes though I thought I tasted another variety also but----! The wine was matured on "lees" for three to six months. Nose: Bread and yeast, some toastiness, nice fruit and floral notes. Palate: Nice mouth feel, clean and pleasant finish.
Antonin Blanc: Named after the founder, these wines are made from Chardonay grapes and fermented in new oak for three months. Nose: vanilla, butter, toast Palate: citrus, apple, vanilla.
Antonin Noir: Blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Nice fruit flavours and excellent integrity. Nose: black fruit, cherry and some mint. Palate: Cassis, black currant and plum. Lingering finish.
End Of Day 12
posted by Chuck Byers - Wine Consultant | 12:13 PM
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