A WORLD OF WINE
An exceptional wine pairing begins long before the first glass is poured.
It starts with understanding the food, knowing the producer and recognising what each bottle can bring to the table. For Chapter III of The Supper Club | Malta, we teamed up with Charles Grech World of Wines to create a wine experience for our members that would become an integral part of the evening.
The story of Charles Grech began in March 1881, when its founder returned to Malta following a career in Britain’s Royal Navy. On Republic Street in Valletta, he opened a small tobacconist and bottle shop, building a reputation through carefully selected products and personal attention to his customers. The business continued serving its patrons even during the Second World War—a remarkable detail in a history stretching across more than 140 years.
From those beginnings, Charles Grech developed into an importer, distributor and retailer whose offering spans wines, spirits, beers, waters, mixers, fine cigars and gourmet products. Its evolution reflects generations of changing tastes, while maintaining the connection between quality products and the pleasure of sharing them.
The wine portfolio brings together distinguished producers across countries and regions. Names represented and distributed include Champagne Louis Roederer and Barons de Rothschild, Frescobaldi and Attems from Italy, Domaines Ott from Provence, Penfolds from Australia and Ramos Pinto from Portugal.
Beyond wine, the portfolio includes spirits such as The Macallan, Highland Park, Jack Daniel’s, Gin Mare and Herradura, alongside Franklin & Sons mixers, S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna waters, and beers including Heineken and Birra Moretti. It is a selection that reaches across the evening: the welcome drink, the wine at dinner and the final glass enjoyed in good company.
For The One with Baron Munchausen, staged on St Elmo Breakwater, Charles Grech joined us as our featured wine merchant. With pairings curated by Alberto Bafumi in collaboration with the Charles Grech team, the selections accompanied Chef Adam Demanuele’s five-course seafood menu.
The evening brought together wines from Champagne Barons de Rothschild, Domaines Ott, Attems, Frescobaldi and Château de Chamirey, giving our members a journey through different regions and expressions.
Barons de Rothschild Champagne Brut accompanied the opening course of prawn, langoustine, ajo blanco and Beluga caviar. For aged hamachi with apricot, coriander and chilli, the menu offered Clos Mireille Rosé from Domaines Ott or Cicinis Sauvignon Blanc from Attems.
Lobster with wakame béarnaise was paired with Frescobaldi’s Benefizio Riserva Chardonnay, followed by Château de Chamirey’s La Mission Monopole Premier Cru alongside turbot with Sauce Nantua and charred broccoli. To close, Barons de Rothschild Champagne Rosé accompanied cheesecake and caviar.
Each selection was chosen to complement the food and contribute its own character to the experience. Together, they gave our guests an opportunity to discover the wines in context, with introductions and conversation adding to the pleasure of each glass.
All the wines tasted and paired throughout the evening are available from Charles Grech, allowing our members to revisit a favourite pairing and bring a little of the chapter to their own table.
Charles Grech’s relationship with gastronomy also reaches into the development of culinary talent. As the local representative of S.Pellegrino, their support for Chef Martina Bonello in connection with the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy offers another expression of their involvement in Malta’s culinary community.
Explore their collection at charlesgrechonline.com.