Science can be a wonderful thing, but it surely doesn’t evoke that spontaneous, emotional response which typifies how we react to the divine nectar – unless, of course, science and wine meet in your glass.

That unusual blend was presented by the Delicata winery in collaboration with sciANTific last week at their first ever Wine Science Show.

It was an insightful wine-tasting event which demonstrated the hard work and passion involved in today’s wine growing but also scientific principles that support it.

Wine is often described as an expression of the land, which reigns supreme, made with the help of a rather hands-off winemaker, who lets the grapes tell their own story.

While it’s true that wine was made long before anyone could explain it, nobody can deny though that scientific research has hugely improved its overall quality.

Modern-day winemakers rely on it to underpin their rationale and actions so as how to create the best possible authentic bottle of wine from a given lot of grapes.

For their maiden Wine Science Show, fourth-generation winemaker Matthew Delicata and Delicata’s seasoned viticulturist Jonathan Falzon were joined by scientist Anthony Galea.

Galea is a young science lecturer at the University of Malta and known for taking teaching beyond the classroom. It was a lively participatory experience as Galea explained scientific concepts relevant to wine in his enthusiastic and easy-to-understand way.

The public also got to enjoy a tasting of six boutique wines from the Delicata DOK Malta, DOK Gozo and IGT Maltese Islands selection.

The tasting part of the science show was introduced by Delicata and led by Jonathan Falzon, whom I expected to quip that, although scientific understanding is invaluable, it amounts to little without all their creativity and skill in vine and wine management.

But, the environs of vineyards and cellars are some of a winery’s most modest corners. Because, winemaking, you see, is not just science. The act of making seriously good wine requires also subjective choices that depend on the aesthetic preferences of the winemaker and intuitive choices by the people with their gumboots in the fields.

Wine is also art and art definitely humbles its practitioner.

Georges Meekers is Delicata’s head of sales and an award-winning wine writer.

Free online wine classes

If you are one not to know your Assyrtico from your Elbling, or Ġellewża from Malta’s Girgentina, why not get wine savvy with Delicata’s free online wine course?

The Delicata winery would like everyone to know as much as possible about wine to enhance its appreciation.

Simply sign up for your free Delicata Privilege Card to get unlimited use of In2Wine, your 24/7 private online channel to wine knowledge with a chance to chat wine with wine tutor Georges Meekers.

He won’t tip out spittoons or pack away your glasses, but rest assured that Meekers will pour soothing messages of encouragement on all active course followers.

The Delicata Privilege Card also doubles up as a fast-track pass which is valid at the upcoming Delicata Classic Wine Festival.

Apply on www.delicata.com.