S.L. 436.3 Art. 5Classes of vine varieties.

Vine varieties for the production of wine grapes in Malta are assigned to one of the following classes:

(a) Suitable Varieties: These are varieties that produce wines of good quality. The suitability of each variety for the production of wines with a protected designation of origin, wines with a protected geographical indication, and varietal wines without a protected designation of origin or protected geographical indication, shall be determined in the respective production protocol, if applicable. Within the class of suitable varieties, some varieties may be indicated by the Director on the basis of technical parameters and, or policies for the development of the sector, as "recommended" for specific objectives of vitivincultural policies.

(b) Varieties under observation: These are varieties for which trials of aptitude to the cultivation in Malta are being carried out. The grapes produced from these varieties can be used for the production and commercialisation of table wines with or without the reference to a geographic indication.