The Republic of Malta with its capital Valletta covers 316 km². The southern European island state in the Mediterranean lies about 90 kilometres south of Sicily; the coast of Africa is about 300 kilometres away. It consists of the three inhabited islands of Malta (246 km²), Gozo (67 km²) and Comino (3 km²) as well as the uninhabited islands of Cominotto, Filfla and St. Paul's Islands.
Wine growing already existed here in ancient times. It was established by the Phoenicians, who settled the island around 800 BC. This was then continued by the Romans after the Third Punic War and the conquest of Carthage from 200 BC, when they occupied the island. The Knights of the Order of St John (the later Knights of Malta) produced mainly Mass wine during their rule from the 16th to the 18th century.
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Dr. Christa Hanten
Fachjournalistin, Lektorin und Verkosterin, Wien