Bacchus Lends His Crystal Ball

Initial Outlook on Vendemmja 2026: Early, largely healthy, and full of cautious promise.

It always happens to me at this time of year. A less than artful blend of anticipation and apprehension about the year’s initial harvest indications takes over, and my speed dial knows only one name who can hopefully ease my concerns on a national level. Darren Borg, Chief Agricultural Officer within the Research and Advisory Services Directorate at the Rural Affairs Department is my go-to man, and his initial outlook on the 2026 harvest calms my nerves somewhat: “…early, and good…” he says.

"This year can be classified as a bit early with very good production," Darren told me. Spring cooperated, bringing no disease pressure worth mentioning, while summer eventually turned very hot, yet the vines’ early clean bill of health saw them through without too much bother. "Since the vines were in good health and well irrigated, the damage was limited or non-existent," adding “ We can expect to have encouraging results, both in yield and quality.” Some wineries have reported that Chardonnay and some other international varieties struggled with the hot winds in July, impacting negatively on yield. The surviving bunches however look poised to offer some great results.

Our two indigenous champions, Ġellewża and Girgentina, are having a strong year. Darren describes them as being "very rustic and very well adapted to the local climate" underlining the fact that they can be “vigorous, resilient and when disease is kept in check, reliably generous. Both are expected to deliver well in 2026.”

I asked what the National Viticulture and Oenology Centre , situated in Buskett, has learned from the tougher vintages of recent years. Downy mildew on the indigenous varieties remains the main adversary. "At the NVOC we are working on different solutions ranging from updated good practices and Integrated Pest Management," Darren explained, adding that this year is showing "some very optimistic results." The Centre is also widening its arsenal, experimenting with new products, more tools and more options against disease.

"Climate change is indeed unpredictable and its effects are not always the same making it more complicated to anticipate challenges," explains Darren. One year can bring an abnormally dry autumn and winter followed by a wet spring whereas in the following year, temperatures run hot across both summer and winter. In the not-too-distant past, our climate followed patterns which were somewhat easier to anticipate and hence prepare for. “

What intrigues me is that indigenous and international varieties don't share the same vulnerabilities. Some of the international varieties tend to cope well with rain in spring and summer and dislike drought whereas our indigenous ones are used to drier conditions in that period and could hold up well to dry stretches”. Darren has learnt that “ careful selection of varieties, rootstock and cultivation method, along with newer practices like clay treatments on vines during peak summer can help greatly with guarding against sun damage.”

The part of the conversation I found most exciting was about the rediscovered indigenous varieties. Insolja Bajda, Marsusa Sewda, Insolja Sewda, Midbiela and Ġurbiena are now four to five years old and have hence reached production age, which means that the NVOC will attempt micro-vinifications where possible.

"This is not easy because given the limited space available, the amount of vines per variety is rationed," Darren cautioned, "so it is not always easy to have enough grapes for a monovarietal wine." Younger varieties like Beżżul Abjad and Miġnuna, are only two years in. "We can see a bunch here and there, just enough to quench our curiosity and start determining physical details such as bunch shape, berry size and get some first impressions , but this will not be enough for any form of vinification."

Darren is optimistic about what these varieties could eventually bring to Maltese wine, but he clearly can’t make any promises yet. "This can only be verified after years of data collection," he said.

These initial observations can justify a cautious optimism about this year’s harvest which is indeed highly welcome after the past few years of tough going. Our superstitious instinct is eased by our trust in Bacchus who, this year at least, seems to have turned his gaze favourably towards our islands. I might consider sacrifice of the human kind for next year. Any nominations are welcome.