FIRST APRIL 2022 ISSUE No 332 by FIRST Magazine (Malta)

ISSUE 332 APRIL 2022

A CAPSULE OF THE WORLD

Easter Tidings “YESTERDAY IS ASHES. TOMORROW IS WOOD. ONLY TODAY DOES THE FIRE BURN BRIGHTLY.” Inuit PROVERB

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EDITORIAL

ICONS “My election proves that our citizens are tired of the experienced, pompous system politicians who over the 28 years, have created a country of opportunities – the opportunities to bribe, steal and pluck the resources. We will build the country of other opportunities – the one where all are equal before the law and where all the rules are honest and transparent, the same for everyone. And for that, we need people in power who will serve the people. This is why I really do not want my pictures in your offices, for the President is not an icon, an idol or a portrait. Hang your kids’ photos instead, and look at them each time you are making a decision.” Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Extracted from Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Inaugural Address, 20 May 2019. Source: president.gov.ua)

ON THE COVER: Andy Warhol (1928-1987), Shot Sage Blue Marilyn, 1964. Acrylic and silkscreen on ink on linen. 40 x 40 in (101.6 x 101.6 cm). Estimate on request. Offered in The Collection of Thomas and Doris Ammann on 9 May 2022 at Christie’s in New York. © CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD. 2022. From the Foundation of Thomas and Doris Ammann, this May, Shot Sage Blue Marilyn will cause a bang as the star of Christie’s 20th and 21st Century marquee auctions. See pages 16 & 17. THIS PAGE: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine. Photograph attribution: president.gov.ua EDITORIAL CONTENT AND SALES MANAGER SEAN ELLUL SELLUL@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT DESIGNER CONRAD BONDIN CBONDIN@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT PRODUCTION MANAGER ANDRE CAMILLERI ACAMILLERI@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT PUBLISHER STANDARD PUBLICATIONS, STANDARD HOUSE, BIRKIKARA HILL, ST JULIAN’S. TEL: 00356 2134 5888, WEB: WWW.INDEPENDENT.COM.MT FACEBOOK FIRSTMAGAZINE INSTAGRAM FIRSTMAGAZINEMALTA PRINTER PRINT-IT. FIRST IS PUBLISHED AS A COMPLIMENTARY MAGAZINE WITH THE MALTA INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY AND IS NOT TO BE SOLD SEPARATELY. NO PART OF THE PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE PRIOR AGREEMENT OF THE PUBLISHER. FIRST MAGAZINE SINCE 1993. ISSUE NUMBER 332.

CONTENTS

LA DOLCE VITA. Inside Belmond’s Hotel Cipriani. Photograph © Belmond/Betsi Ewig.

IL-ĦAJJA. The new exhibition by Gozitan born sculptor Mario Agius. Mario Agius, San Pawl, Globigerina limestone, 57 x 22 x 22cm. Photograph Anthony Grech.

JOURNEY TO CARBON NEUTRAL – OPEN SPACES. Inspiring Champs-Élysées. Photography © PCA-Stream.

THiS IS WiNE 6th chapter in this issue

EXCLUSIVE SERIES: THIS IS WINE. ST JULIEN TO THE UNINVITED. In this photo: Inside the cellars of Château Gruaud Larose – King of Wines, Wines of Kings. Photograph courtesy Château Gruaud Larose © Christophe Goussard.

Celebrating 35 Years of Architectural Creativity. Architect Pietro Cicognani. Photograph Francesco Lagnese, courtesy Vendome Press.

CONTENTS

Spiced Cravings. Flavourful fare with with Mediterranean Culinary Academy. Photograph Robert Pace.

[ISSUE 332. APRIL 2022]

A Venetian Affair. Belmond Hotel Cipriani.

Getting on Top of Money Management.

JOURNEY TO CARBON NEUTRAL

LA DOLCE VITA

RETIREMENT PLANNING

58 Inspiring Champs-Élysées. 61 Bill Gates’ No-Nonsense Climate Book. 62 Manoel Island’s Open Spaces. 66 Regenerating Spencer Gardens. 68

Celebrating 35 Years of Architectural Creativity. Pietro Cicognani Architecture and Design.

ICONIC Andy Warhol’s Legendary Shot Sage Blue Marylin.

EXHIBITION Il-Ħajja. The new exhibition by Gozitan born sculptor Mario Agius.

INTERIORS

THIS IS WINE St Julien to the Uninvited. The 6th Chapter in This is Wine: Its Storied Place and Taste.

Melita: Carbon Neutral and Future Focused.

The Institute for Sustainable Energy and ZeroCO2.

Malta Sustainability Forum April 2022 Level Up for Carbon Neutrality.

Spiced Cravings. Flavourful fare with Mediterranean Culinary Academy.

How to Lose Weight and Keep it Off – According to Science.

AUCTION. A Rediscovered Michelangelo. Michelangelo Buonarroti, A nude young man (after Masaccio) and two figures behind, pen and two shades of brown ink, 33 x 20 cm. © Christie’s Images Limited.

HEALTH & FITNESS

Going Green at Malta International Airport.

FRESH COOKING

How to Lose Weight and Keep it Off – According to Science. Photograph Annie Spratt.

The Road to Carbon Neutrality.

AUCTION A Rediscovered Michelangelo.

LA DOLCE VITA “Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go.” Truman Capote

LA DOLCE VITA

A Venetian Affair Set on the beautiful island of Giudecca in Venice, the Belmond Hotel Cipriani was conceived in the same era that Hollywood produced romantic films like Roman Holiday, when Italy itself was going through its Golden Age of Cinema, producing films like La Dolce Vita. It was an era dominated by directors such as Rossellini, DeSica, Visconti, and Fellini, and stars like Sophia Lauren, Anna Magnani and Claudia Cardinale. The hotel was opened in 1958 by Giuseppe Cipriani, founder of Harry’s Bar and inventor of the Bellini cocktail. On opening the hotel achieved instant acclaim with movie stars and Alisters. Overlooking St Mark’s Square, across the lagoon, Cipriani’s lush interiors and enclosed Renaissance gardens – where famed author Giacomo Casanova is said to have once wooed his lovers – offer the possibility to enjoy an unseen and tranquil side of Venice. Photography courtesy Belmond. This page: Hotel Cipriani’s story began in 1956 when Giuseppe Cipriani decided to build a hotel for jetsetting travellers. His dream was to create a haven close to St Mark’s Square, yet away from the city bustle. He chose a plot on the tip of the then-deserted Giudecca Island. Exterior of the Belmond Hotel Cipriani. Photograph © Belmond/Betsi Ewig.

LA DOLCE VITA

n 1931 Giuseppe Cipriani opened the doors to a bar that would become a world icon – Harry’s Bar. The story goes that Cipriani was working as a bartender at the Hotel Europa (in Venice). The hotel bar was frequented by a rich young American, Harry Pickering, who suddenly stopped going to the bar. Cipriani asked him why and Pickering explained that he was broke – his family found out about his drinking habits and cut him off financially. Cipriani lent him 10,000 lire and two years later Pickering returned, ordered a drink, and gave Cipriani 50,000 lire in return saying: “Here’s the money. And to show you my appreciation, here’s 40,000 more, enough to open a bar. We will call it Harry’s Bar.”

This page: Living room of the Dogaressa Suite. Photograph © Belmond/Tyson Sadlo. 8

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LA DOLCE VITA

Top: The marble bathroom of the Palladio Suite. Photograph © Belmond/Martino Dini. Above: Inside the Palladio Suite. Photograph © Belmond/Mattia Aquila.

arry’s Bar, home of the Bellini and Carpaccio, and also famous for its dry martini, became a favourite haunt of Ernest Hemingway and a slew of socialites, actors and actresses, including Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Jimmy Stewart, Truman Capote, Orson Welles, Baron Philippe de 10

Rothschild, Giuseppe Sinopoli, Princess Aspasia of Greece, Aristotle Onassis, Barbara Hutton, Peggy Guggenheim, Woody Allen – and the list goes on. The bar was also mentioned in the second and subsequent editions as a frequent haunt of Evelyn Waugh’s principal characters Charles Ryder and Sebastian Flyte.

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LA DOLCE VITA

This page: Inside the Cipriani Suite. Photograph © Belmond/Mattia Aquila.

LA DOLCE VITA

Above: The hotel’s pond. Photograph © Belmond/Tyson Sadlo, Helen Cathcart. Right: The hotel’s shuttle boat. St Mark’s Square is just five minutes away from the hotel by private shuttle boat. Photograph © Belmond/Tyson Sadlo. Bottom: Arrival at Hotel Cipriani’s mooring at the hotel’s private pier. Photograph © Belmond/Genivs Loci.

otel Cipriani’s story began in 1956 when Giuseppe Cipriani decided to build a hotel for jet-setting travellers. His dream was to create a haven close to St Mark’s Square, yet away from the city bustle. He chose a plot on the tip of the thendeserted Giudecca Island. Cipriani’s partners to open the hotel were the three daughters of the 2nd Earl of Iveagh (head of the Guiness family), who provided the financing – Viscountess Boyd of Merton, Lady Honor Svedar and Lady Brigid Guinness. Each of the sisters had a suite designed for themselves and their families (the suites are still referred to by the sisters’ names: Lady Honor, Lady Patricia, and Lady Bridgit). Just two years after the project began, glamourous guests were already arriving in droves. Affluent Americans, French nobles, English aristocrats, European royalty, actors and artists from across the globe – Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Sophia Lauren and Catherine Deneuve – all were drawn to the relaxing, private atmosphere and gorgeous rooms. Set on the tip of Giudecca Island, and just a fiveminute ride by private launch from St Mark’s Square, Hotel Cipriani captures everything La Serenissima is famed for, yet feels a world away, surrounded by verdant gardens, with views across the lagoon, and across from the island church of San Giorgio Maggiore. In its first ten years the hotel was so popular that in 1968 adjoining land was purchased to build the only olympic-size swimming pool in central Venice. At 72, Giuseppe Cipriani left the hotel, and in 1976, the Hotel Cipriani was purchased by Belmond. The

hotel subsequently expanded into the adjacent Palazzo Vendramin, a 15thcentury palace facing the lagoon and St Mark’s Square. A restaurant, Cip’s Club was later built on a floating pontoon, and in 1990, the adjacent Granaries of the Republic were opened as an event space. The hotel also boasts a Michelin-star restaurant Oro. Today’s Hotel Cipriani may look different from the one Giuseppi Cipriani built, but it keeps to the original aspiration – to provide an indulgent sanctuary just a stone’s throw away from St Mark’s Square. And you can still sip an original Bellini at Cip’s Club.

LA DOLCE VITA

Top left: The Orangerie at the hotel. Photograph © Belmond/Mattia Aquila. Centre left: An aerial view of the hotel. Photograph © Belmond/Tyson Sadlo. Bottom left: The enclosed gardens of the hotel. Photograph © Belmond/Tyson Sadlo. Top right: The magnificent Olympic sized pool is the only one in central Venice. It’s fully heated and filled with filtered seawater. Photograph © Belmond/Tyson Sadlo. Above: The iconic Cip’s Club. Photograph © Belmond/Helen Cathcart.

About Belmond: Belmond has been a pioneer of luxury travel for over 45 years with a portfolio of one-of-a-kind experiences in some of the world’s most inspiring destinations. Since the acquisition of the iconic Hotel Cipriani in Venice in 1976, Belmond has continued to perpetuate the legendary art of travel. Its portfolio extends across 24 countries with properties that include the illustrious Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train and Italian hideaways such as Splendido in Portofino. 14

ICONIC

ICONIC “I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.” Marilyn Monroe

POISED TO BECOME THE MOST EXPENSIVE 20TH CENTURY ARTWORK TO SELL AT AUCTION

ANDY WARHOL’S LEGENDARY SHOT SAGE BLUE MARILYN S hot Sage Blue Marilyn by Andy Warhol will lead Christie’s Marquee Week of sales in New York this May. Poised to be the most expensive 20th century artwork to ever sell at auction, Shot Sage Blue Marilyn is among the most iconic paintings in history (estimate on request; in the region of $200 million USD). An unmatched example of 20th-century art by the most important American artist, Shot Sage Blue Marilyn is one of the rarest and most transcendent images in existence.

The work comes to Christie’s from the Thomas and Doris Ammann Foundation Zurich; all proceeds of the sale will benefit the foundation, which is dedicated to improving the lives of children the world over by establishing support systems centered on providing healthcare and educational programs. With one hundred percent of proceeds going to charity, the sale of this single painting will constitute the highest-grossing philanthropic auction since The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller in 2018. Thomas and Doris Ammann were siblings and founders of Thomas Ammann Fine Art since 1977, a storied gallery in Zurich that championed artists from the Impressionist, Modern, Post-War and Contemporary era. The gallery would become one of the most influential art spaces in Europe, respected by top collectors around the globe. According to Georg Frei, Chairman of the Board, Thomas and Doris Ammann Foundation: “Andy Warhol’s picture of Marilyn, surely now more famous than the photograph (an original publicity still for the 1953 film Niagara by Henry Hathaway) on which it is based, bears witness to her undiminished visual power in the new millennium. The spectacular portrait isolates the person and the star: Marilyn the woman is gone; the terrible circumstances of her life and death are forgotten. All that remains is the enigmatic smile that links her to another mysterious smile of a distinguished lady, the Mona Lisa.” Shot Sage Blue Marilyn is a definitive work within Warhol’s oeuvre, contemporary art, and the entire art historical canon. Warhol first began creating silkscreens of Marilyn Monroe following her death in August 1962. He would create reproductions of her visage multiple times in bright colors, often with the features somewhat askew. In 1964, he developed a more refined and time-intensive screen printing technique, antithetical to the mass production he was best known for, and created a limited number of portraits of the Hollywood legend. This technique was so difficult in fact, that he never returned to it again and yet the image remains burned in the visual lexicon of art history. Facing page: ANDY WARHOL (1928-1987), Shot Sage Blue Marilyn, acrylic and silkscreen ink on linen, 101.6 x 101.6 cm. Painted in 1964. Estimate on request. © Christie’s Images Limited 2022

“Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.” Andy Warhol 17

BEAUTY

ROUGE ALLURE L’EXTRAIT THE NEW HIGH-INTENSITY LIP COLOUR, CONCENTRATED RADIANCE AND CARE

It is part of a daily routine, and yet it is anything but trivial. What do we hope to achieve by applying lipstick? The symbolism of it often goes beyond a simple desire to accentuate our lips with colour. We wear it for the boldness it inspires in us, the confidence it gives us. The perfect lipstick is one that makes us feel our best. It stays vibrant and comfortable all day long; it highlights rather than dulls. It pulls a makeup look or an outfit together. It reflects an intention, a style. Photography CHANEL. 18

BEAUTY

CONCENTRATED COLOUR By creating ROUGE ALLURE L’EXTRAIT, CHANEL imagines the ultimate lipstick, which reveals the strength and power of those who wear it. More than just a lipstick, it offers concentrated colour, radiance, and care, creating an intense, satiny makeup look that is nothing short of daring. Its slim new case has been redesigned to fit a golden refill cartridge, without losing the iconic ROUGE ALLURE click. With ROUGE ALLURE L’EXTRAIT, makeup becomes a way of making a statement and fully asserting one’s individuality. Apply with confidence, define with precision. With its high concentration of pigments, ROUGE ALLURE L’EXTRAIT delivers unparalleled colour intensity from the very first swipe. A collection of 20 bright, bold, varied lip colours that range from intense beige to fiery red and deep pink. Their powerful, symbolic names are a fitting reflection of each hue: ROUGE AUDACIEUX, ROUGE LIBRE, ROSE IMPULSIF…

CONCENTRATED RADIANCE ROUGE ALLURE L’EXTRAIT contains ingredients with powerful light-reflecting properties, for lips that are visibly smoother and extremely luminous. It has a satiny finish that illuminates and enhances lips, casting them in their best light.

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EXHIBITION

This page: Mario Agius, SAN PAWL, Globigerina limestone, 57 x 22 x 22cm. 20

EXHIBITION

Above: Mario Agius, INTIMITÀ, Gozo marble, 30 x 44 x 15cm

“Those would at times observe in tree trunks, clumps of earth or other objects of this sort, certain outlines which through some light changes could be made to resemble a natural shape.” Leon Battista Alberti

NATURE, LIFE, HUMANITY

IL-HAJJA The Gozitan born sculptor Mario Agius believes that the earth is a gift and not a possession. Now in an exhibition originally planned for 2020 and postponed to this May, the artist presents a body of work that exceeds the scale originally planned. With the pandemic and the date change, Agius kept working on new works in his studio. The result is a body of work that investigates what it is to be human. Photography Anthony Grech.

his May Gozitan sculptor Mario Agius is opening his exhibition of sculptures Il-Ħajja at the Art Galleries of the Malta Society of Arts. It’s been an exhibition in the making for several years, and delayed by 2 years due to the pandemic. “In his work abandoned stone and withered trunks are transformed into vivid figures and images radiating powerful messages”, writes Joseph F X Zahra. “The world that he would like to leave his children and grandchildren is one of hard work, creativity and achievement but with an underlying modesty

and sense of service. Art is a means of giving to others part of yourself through incisive and penetrating communication in different forms. Inspired by Saint Francis, Mario is forwarding a message that creativity is a means of charity and not of power and submission and that there is a relationship between nature and the environment and social and human reality. As human actors on this earthly stage we are free to choose. Mario is on the side of humanity and ecology; and he reminds us that our priority should be the quality of human life and the avoidance of a breakdown of society.”

EXHIBITION

Left: Mario Agius, MISTRIEĦ, olive wood, 85 x 34 x 26cm. Centre: Mario Agius, GĦAQDA, olive wood, 63 x 21 x 18cm. Right: Mario Agius, ĠUF, olive wood, 45 x 13 x 22cm. Bottom: Mario Agius, SUPERIOUR, olive wood, 62 x 40 x 28cm.

“F

ocusing on the depictions of life and essential states of being, Il-Ħajja explores narratives transmitted through various elements associated with the cycle of life through materiality, symbolism and sculpture”, says curator Elyse Tonna. “The body of work investigates what it is to be human, showcasing a certain affinity to the natural processes of human development and life. At heart to the artist’s work is an exploration of figurative elements as vessels for the eternal soul, where various representations of the body are direct reflections of fundamental human experiences, spirituality and emotions.” “The artist also brings to focus and questions anthropocentric subjects about the nature of existence and reality through the use of natural materials such as wood (olive trunks), Gozo hardstone and Carrara marble. The essential states of being such as birth, youth, procreation and old age also allude to the artist’s inner thoughts and personal experiences, transposing the exhibition to an introspective and a process of self-reflection. Agius further resorts to mimetic tendencies as they appear in nature tending towards the

humanistic and naturalistic which are conveyed through sculptural elements and articulated with flowing and continuous lines. Alluding to primitive sculpture, the parallelisms conveyed between the reflections on the essential meanings of life and their interpretation are guided by the haptic suggestiveness of tree trunks and natural rock formations. The intuitive projections of the artist’s inner sensations also draw in the concept of empathy, whereby the artistic process is driven by the artist’s previous cognitive experiences which subjected him to develop and define his repertory of physical manifestations. Exploited by prehistoric artists and also primitive art styles such as African art, the inherent form of tree trunks facilitates the production of figurative forms, the soul of the tree itself projected through humanistic representations.” “The exhibition Il-Ħajja shifts our senses beyond the materiality of the figures being represented and towards further understanding of the meaning of life, representing the need for continuous growth. It showcases radiantly charged intersections between the material and the ineffable soul. The cycles of life are ultimately universal issues which have been experienced throughout centuries, and so will they remain.”

IL-ĦAJJA, an exhibition by Mario Agius, curated by Elyse Tonna. 28 April to 19 May 2022 - Art Galleries of the Malta Society of Arts, Palazzo de La Salle, 219 Republic Street, Valletta. Open Mon - Fri 8am to 7pm, Sat 9am to 1.30pm, Sundays and public holidays closed. Entrance is free, subject to Covid-19 measures. 22

INTERIORS

“Having been raised in a humanistic culture and society (Rome), I’ve come to realise that, in the end, the needs and aspirations of the “humanistic” individual is what matters.” Pietro Cicognani

This page: For the renovation of this 1930s property, the existing boathouse was converted to a guesthouse, with stenciled “rugs” and walls in the living area. 24

INTERIORS

Celebrating 35 Years of Architectural Creativity

PIETRO CICOGNANI ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN

Architect Pietro Cicognani and actress Isabella Rossellini are best friends. Both grew up in Rome. Isabella writes that what makes them “best friends is laughter and curiosity. Pietro’s curiosity pushes him to acquire vast troves of information, which he uses as the source of his many architectural solutions and creativity. His artistry is cultivated, refined, and full of cultural references, but it also has the same irreverence and joyfulness as his laughter. In one way we are very different. He is capable of seeing in 3-D in his mind’s eye. For example, he showed me a spot in my garden, declaring, ‘This is where the pool house should be built. It should be this tall, this wide, and has to have this orientation’. And he handed me three drawings representing three possible shapes for my pool house. Pietro gave me choices, but each option had the same good proportions. How does he know? I wondered. He does this a lot. I saw him undertake project after project, all in different scales, but he always knows with great certitude how to organise space. When I ask him, he gives me a very poor explanation: ‘Growing up in Rome contributed to my sense of proportion. It was an unconscious process. I didn’t study it. I acquired it just by looking at it and living in it.’ I grew up in Rome too, but I don’t have it. It must be one of those things we cannot explain; we cannot trace the origin of how a person acquires a certain ability, and we simply call it talent.” This new monograph takes you inside the country houses, city dwellings, and seaside houses of master architect Pietro Cicognani. Photography by Francesco Lagnese, courtesy Vendome Press. 25

INTERIORS

“A

native of the Etruscan city of Bologna, nicknamed la rossa for its red brick walls, and raised in a palazzo in Rome, architect Pietro Gicognani loves people, good food, racing bicycles, sailing the Mediterranean, and wearing purple socks purchased at Gammarelli, outfitters to the Pope, often with red sneakers”, writes Karen Bruno in the introduction. He also loves “art, about which he knows a great deal. But perhaps most important to his many clients, he is steeped in one of the world’s great architectural traditions, Etruscan and Roman architecture.”

INTERIORS

Top: This Mediterranean-style villa designed by Cicognani Kalla is filled with a romantic style of traditional interiors, layered with pattern, colour and inviting textures. Top right: This rope-handled spiral wooden staircase is one of the original features left from a boathouse converted to a guesthouse. Right: The mud room for a contemporary converted barn, with a steel-framed glass partition and door to the garden, and floor to ceiling wooden cabinets. Left: This sophisticated duplex combined one and a half apartments on two floors. Made of stone, steel and plaster, this stairwell was added in the double-height cherry wood hall.

INTERIORS

This page: Colourful Mediterranean style. This house is inspired by its owners’ frequent trips to Capri. In the pink and green living room, a custom chandelier and bespoke upholstery mix with a vintage coffee table, benches and lamps.

or more than thirty years, Pietro Cicognani has been designing highly customized and exquisitely crafted country houses, urban residences, outbuildings, pool houses, and even garden plans for an A-list clientele. In Pietro Cicognani: 28

Architecture and Design, the first monograph of his work, eighteen of his most notable projects are featured, including a reconverted barn complex on Long Island, a sprawling estate in upstate New York, a chic minimalist triplex in Manhattan, and a romantic seaside house in the Hamptons.

INTERIORS

Top: In this garden a pergola dripping with vines shades the curved colonnade, which is lined with concrete benches. This leads to a pool, seen through the colonnade. Above left: Cicognani persuaded the owners to place an antique cabinet fitted with a French limestone sink that he designed right in the terra-cotta-floored entrance. It’s convenient for cutting and arranging flowers. With his usual attention to detail, he wrapped the handrail of the steel balustrade in Italian leather so it’s not cold to the touch. Above right: Evoking a Mediterranean feel, this country home combines colorful textiles and interiors. 30

INTERIORS

hether a new construction or a gut renovation, each of his projects is designed in collaboration with not only the finest artisans and landscape architects but also exceptional interior designers, including Peter Marino, Jacques Grange, Isabel López Quesada, Genevieve Faure, Steven Gambrel, Anouska Hempel, Frank de Biasi, Thomas O’Brien, Mac II, Windsor Smith, and Tino Zervudachi. Illustrated with specially commissioned photographs by renowned architecture and interiors photographer Francesco Lagnese, as well as with site and floor plans, and featuring a foreword by actress and filmmaker Isabella Rossellini, whose country home he designed, Pietro Cicognani: Architecture and Design is a feast for the eyes and a celebration of unstinting design excellence. Pietro Cicognani writes: “Having been raised in a humanistic culture and society (Rome), I’ve come to realise that, in the end, the needs and aspirations of the “humanistic” individual is what matters. Proportions, the relationship to the site and surrounding environment, natural light, views, materials, and the way they are all put together is what matters. No matter what style, the fundamentals have to be there. This is what the classics teach and what enables us to be flexible in various situations.”

Above: This bank barn built into a hill’s slope, was converted by Pietro Cicognani into a contemporary dream home featuring exposed timber frames, steel spiral staircases, and marble bathrooms with interiors designed by Isabel LopezQuesada. Pictured here the sun room.

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORS: Born in Bologna, Pietro Cicognani studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, received his bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts and his master’s in Architecture from Columbia University. He worked for Mitchell/Giurgola Architects before founding Cicognani Kalla Architect with Ann Kalla in 1985. His work has been extensively published by American and international design and architecture magazines. Isabella Rossellini is an actress, filmmaker, author, philanthropist, model, farmer, and graduate in animal behavior studies. Francesco Lagnese is an internationally acclaimed interiors and architecture photographer whose work appears regularly in such publications as Veranda, Elle Decor, Galerie, Icon Design, Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, and Town & Country. His most recent book is Tom Scheerer: More Decorating. Karen Bruno is a journalist specializing in architecture, interior design, gardens, and travel. Her work appears in the Wall Street Journal, T Magazine, Veranda, Architectural Digest, and many other publications. Pietro Cicognani: Architecture and Design. Foreword by Isabella Rossellini, photography by Francesco Lagnese, text by Karen Bruno. Published by Vendome Press. Hardcover, 280 pages, 300 colour illustrations. 31

THIS IS WINE The sixth chapter in This is wine: its storied place and taste.

“Fruit of the earth, work of human hands, blessed be God forever”

FRANCE – BORDEAUX – LEFT BANK – HAUT MEDOC – ST JULIEN

ST JULIEN TO THE UNINVITED St Julien has some of the worst soils in the world which is tantamount to praise indeed in winemaking circles. The four communes of Pauillac, Margaux, St Estephe and St Julien have one feature in common. They all have poor soils, weak in organic matter in differing quantities, overlying even poorer ground of sand, gravel rocks and stones, perfect for growing grapes with intensity but requiring unprecedented skill, writes Kris Bonavita. This page: Bordeaux is home to several architectural gates. Porte Cailhau is the second of two entrances built in the Middle Ages (in 1494) and remains practically unchanged. It was built to commemorate Charles VIII's victory at Fornovo (Italy). Photograph Zakaria El Bazi. 32

ST JULIEN

n 17th July 1453 a Brexit of sorts took place in the Battle of Castillon. Sir John Talbot, governor of Aquitaine, as the region was known, despite a heroic attempt at holding forth against French artillery fell to his demise. So ended the Age of Chivalry and the Hundred Years' War where the English relinquished much of their dominion in France and with it Bordeaux, after three hundred years of English rule, became French. Talbot or ‘The terror of the French’, as he is featured in Shakespeare’s historic plays, would be buried, mythically with his treasure, at a St Julien chateau that bears his name. Something of his tenacity and fealty was buried alongside with him as this is what ironically defines St Julien most today. If Margaux were queen and Pauillac were king, St Julien would be their loyal heir apparent as a region whose wines are both feminine in their aromatic refinement and regally powerful in their structure. Within that setting St Julien wines are consistently above par and every patch of its lands, except for a small silt embankment, grows grapes that over 90 percent of the time go on to become 1855 Grand Cru Classified wines.

hile having no First Growth chateaux, St Julien can boast five super Second Growths and another six Classified Growths over and above a wealth of chateaux that are vying in value with the rest of the Medoc. The influential wine critic Robert Parker, whose ratings chateaux eagerly attended before releasing their prices since they could double or triple the wine’s price, among the Pomerols and Pauillacs often bestowed top scores to St Julien wines. St Julien is the smallest of the great appellations but it has a mighty personality with chateaux often rising above the vintage to make wines that are the most consistently balanced yet with enough tannic edge to be laid down for the long-term. This may seem fortuitous but it is down to one unfaltering and overarching fact. St Julien has some of the worst soils in the world which is tantamount to praise indeed in winemaking circles. The four communes of Pauillac, Margaux, St Estephe and St Julien have one feature in common. They all have poor soils, weak in organic matter in differing quantities, overlying even poorer ground of sand, gravel rocks and stones, perfect for growing grapes with intensity but requiring unprecedented skill. Within the constraints of this harsh nature; Bordeaux wine laws which are some of the toughest in the world; and the rigid makeup of traditional classifications which have a bearing on how chateaux perform on the marketplace; St Julien can seem fiercely traditional but this belies innovations that do take place. From worthless marshland, following the reclamation of land by Dutch traders in the 17th century, a number of aristocratic families moved into the area due to its proximity to Bordeaux and built lavish estates and vineyards that still shape the countryside today. Some chateaux have been around for centuries and have buildings and titles associated with their founders, sporting their aristocratic pedigree and ancient feats. Chateau Beychevelle for example was a feudal fortress. But one, in particular, defies the rest in being both relatively new and unencumbered by any privileges or architectural endowments. Chateau Gloria founded in 1942 in a reconditioned shed only has its name because any winemaking property in Bordeaux is allowed to be called as such, having patches of vinified land throughout the region and a quality of wine that speak loud and clear. While this is dependent on the huge acres of terroir that it has systematically bought from other major chateaux, it is equally down to the winemaking innovations of its long-time founder and owner. The one-time barrel maker or cooper Henri Martin had success where many have failed. After World War II the Bordeaux wine world was not the success story we imagine, many chateaux were in disrepair and their wines and reputation in tatters, and many were bought over and refurbished only to

result in failure or oblivion. But it would take more than luck not just to restore some old fabled chateau but rather start one from scratch and gain equal ratings. There are laws on pruning and uprooting vines and which varieties and on which land and in which season; how much of a harvest can be used for a wine; and regardless of how severe a drought is irrigation is strictly offlimits. However, within those legal limits, Henri Martin is credited with having introduced new pruning and vine growing methods. Possibly, his greatest achievement is his extreme selection of grapes that make up the grand vin at a time in the 1970s when very few chateaux adopted such methods and when vintages were abysmal and which are now taken as standard.

So what makes a good vintage?

aint Julien is famous in being the most consistent in vintage, especially in the last few decades. So what makes a good vintage? Rather than good or bad vintages, we should really be talking of ones that can be drunk young or that need aging and for how long. It is the vagaries of climate, its effect on the vine and grape, and response to it, that result in different vintages with each having its own character. Quixotically even two bottles of the same wine from the same cellar of the same year will have a different character and will develop differently. Terroir is not just down to soil and climate at varying scales but equally to the collective human know-how and praxis in extracting the best out of nature to produce a wine that is most expressive of this. Practices such as ploughing for soil aeration, de-leafing and green harvesting (pruning of leaves and unripened fruit) for better yield and ripeness, and organic and biodynamic innovations. In addition to science and nature, this requires generations of natural selection (in so far as grape varieties adapt to their surroundings and treatment) and human input. Bordeaux is famous not just because of the right soil and the right climate on the 45th parallel, bang centre between the North Pole and the Equator, but equally having the right cultural tradition. The whole Bordeaux region enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate due to the tempering maritime influence of the Atlantic Ocean and rivers nearby. While winters at this latitude are relatively mild, summers can be dry and hot with cooler nights which are beneficial in preserving the acidity in grape ripening so necessary in the fruit freshness and textural balance that we associate with Bordeaux wine. Abundant sunlight and moderate rainfall and the relative lack of wind also seem to be ideal in contrast to many other wine-growing regions.

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On 17th July 1453 a Brexit of sorts took place in the Battle of Castillon. Sir John Talbot, governor of Aquitaine, as the region was known, despite a heroic attempt at holding forth against French artillery fell to his demise. So ended the Age of Chivalry and the Hundred Years' War where the English relinquished much of their dominion in France and with it Bordeaux, after three hundred years of English rule, became French. Talbot or ‘The terror of the French’, as he is featured in Shakespeare’s historic plays, would be buried, mythically with his treasure, at a St Julien chateau that bears his name.

This page: Château Talbot. Photograph © Nicolas Seurot, courtesy Château Talbot. 34

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Château Branaire-Ducru is known for a more elegant and fragrant expression of St Julien. The first deeds of the property date back to 1680, when Jean-Baptiste Braneyre, saw the potential of this stony terroir and bought a precious piece of the Beychevelle estate. His descendants, the Du Luc family, built the Château in 1824. With its neo-classical style, it has the appeal inherent in Palladian residences. The estate was then inherited by a relative, Gustave Ducru and remained in the family until 1919. Château Branaire-Ducru produces two wines, the grand vin Château Branaire-Ducru, and its second wine, Duluc de Branaire-Ducru.

This page: Château Branaire-Ducru, and (below) the Orangerie at the Château. Photography © Jerome Mondiere, courtesy Château Branaire-Ducru. 36

ST JULIEN Capitulating for survival

y the right soil and climate we don’t mean just good weather and soil, but rather counter-intuitively the opposite. Good wine is made from grapes produced by vines that have had a hard time searching for nutrients and equally have had a hard time looking for water. It is the stress and tribulation of poor soil and lack of water at the right time that force the vine to produce less canopy foliage and in a capitulation for survival down the road produce fruit of a better character and intensity. The nutrient-poor soil and lack of easy water force the roots of the vine to seek moisture, nutrients and minerals deep within the ground which in turn fosters lower yields of fruit with small berries and a higher juice to skin ratio. The natural drainage of the soil in the wet season and its ability to retain water deeper underground during the dry season are all part of this equation. Sun exposure and warmth from the gravel also help grapes reach the perfect level of ripeness which is ultimately what every vine grower wishes to achieve. Ripeness at harvest is essentially what vintage is all about. The greater the degree of ripeness or phenolic maturity; that is intensity of flavour in pulp, seeds and skin, even stems; the more flavourful, sweet, and less acidic will be the wine and in turn the softer and smoother the tannins which are necessary for wine to age gracefully and with a fresh and full concentration. (Too ripe however and the lack of acidity will be a detriment to the freshness and longevity of the wine.) As such vintages can be compared in so far as different years are blessed

with varying degrees of water, sunlight, heat and cold and all this is quite localized varying even within close proximity and have various effects dependant upon the water retaining or drainage capabilities of the ground (clay in contrast to gravel respectively). Ideally, great wines require a warm dry spring and summer for flowering and ripening of fruit with cool nights followed by showers at the end of summer and early autumn for the vines to re-hydrate and strengthen just before they go dormant in the winter. Dry vintages are what produce the sort of Bordeaux wine people rave about, where over wet summers or freak frosts can cause irreparable damage and overbearing heat can result in over-ripening. However human intervention at the right time and winemaking techniques can and do alter vintages in any given year for the better. In very general terms wet years such as 2003 and 2007 can result in more diluted fruit which in turn leads to a vintage more suitable for early drinking, whereas more optimum years like 2015 and 2010 result in powerful classic vintages which need years if not decades of cellaring. In between are the more lush vintages such as 2009 and 2016 which provide enough character and concentration for the wines to be drunk at any stage. Some vintages are so difficult such as 2013 that for all intents and purposes the wine is readily approachable within a few years. However, even within this setting, specific local conditions, varieties of blend and winemaking styles, give a better picture year from year than a generalized vintage date.

Cedar and Cigar Box – St Julien Wine Guide

ying between Pauillac and Margaux on the Left Bank of the Gironde river, Saint Julien is the smallest of the big four that form part of the Haut Medoc. In a rectangular area less than 17 square kilometres squared, the region has 910 hectares of vineyards and only 19 independent winemakers out of which 11 are 1855 Classified Growths. Five are considered super seconds in so far as they are considered on par with First Growth wines: Chateaux Leoville Las Cases, Leoville Poyferre, Leoville Barton, Gruaud Larose and Ducru Beaucaillou. However such is the dearth of chateaux in the region that practically everything that comes out of St Julien is impressive and ageworthy, and often better value than similarly rated chateaux from other regions. Almost every hectare is covered in vines that go on to become Classified Growth wines and can be comfortably divided into two groups centred on two closely spaced villages, St Julien and the port of Beychevelle. To the north Chateau Leoville Las Cases, probably the most eminent, has vineyards that actually border those of Latour in Pauillac whereas to the south the vineyards give way to farmland that merges with Margaux. Grape varieties grown are similar to other Left Bank regions; predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon that thrives on the gravel soils with Merlot having a supporting role in the blend and Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carmenere sometimes used in small quantities. The best recent vintages are 2015, 2016, 2010, 2009, followed by 2017, 2014 (2018, 2019 and 2020 are also great but a bit young). However St Julien has a reputation for striving for consistency and competing for excellence even in difficult years, where only 2013 and 2007 were less than par in recent years. In terms of quality, all the main chateaux such as the three Leovilles and Ducru Beaucaillou are vying for the top spot, with

even unclassified chateaux such as Gloria and Du Glana give the more established a run for their money. The geology of St Julien, similar to other communes on the Left Bank, is characterized by glacial and alluvial gravels and sands that have been eroded and deposited over the course of millennia forming the hilly embankments and dried out river beds that make up Bordeaux today. The neighbouring regions have different compositions of soil with varying depths which have resulted in their distinct, even idiosyncratic, terroir. In contrast to Pauillac St Julien’s soil has more gravel and is finer, with a higher humus content. It consists of two gravely plateaus with soils made up of gravel, sand, limestone and clay with differing sized stones and pebbles. To the north near Pauillac and the east centred around St Julien a ridge of deep gravel overlooks the river, to the south around Beychevelle the soils veer towards more limestone and sand with smaller and shallower gravel stones. Likewise, inland west of the river the soils have more sand with a good proportion of clay. The best vineyards have slopes leading to the Gironde River with its tempering influence. The gravels provide good drainage and reflect light and heat helping in ripening Cabernet Sauvignon. The Merlot and Cabernet Franc help soften and refine the contours of the Cabernet without dulling its verve. It is the fine gravel that gives the wine its backbone structure of tannic austerity and lush strength which can age well, over and above the wood aromas and dark fruit flavours that give the wine a full-bodied intensity balancing this power especially with cellaring. While the topsoil in St Julien is quite homogenous at the surface, the complexity in subsoils is what results in the various distinct wines even if they are unified as a region. The sands give a floral and spice fragrance, whereas the clays and silts provide mid-palate textures and tertiary notes providing a dimensionality, which depending on the grape varieties and blend, can be put to good use even in disparate years.

What St Estephe is to Pauillac St Julien is to Margaux – the lesser-known twin of the more famous sibling

t Julien wines are as varied as they are majestic both as a result of terroir and winemaking styles. To the north the three Leoville chateaux, similar to neighbouring Pauillac, tend towards the traditional more powerful and tannic wines that need aging. Other chateaux such as Branaire Ducru and Ducru Beaucaillou veer towards the more refined and soft wines similar to Margaux. Some like St Pierre, Du Glana and Gloria take to a more modern style of winemaking which is more approachable at a young age. At their best, St Julien integrate all

these characteristics into a harmonious blend that epitomizes the region. The classic St Julien is as much about flavour as texture, with wines sporting an integrated balance of firm but not overly bitter tannins, concentrated flavours and aromas that go from cassis, cedar and pencil shavings to smoke, earth, tobacco, and truffle in older vintages, and a refined complexity of good acidity and soft weighting that belies their aging potential. Coming Next: Pessac Leognan to the Bewildered 37

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Lying between Pauillac and Margaux on the Left Bank of the Gironde river, Saint Julien is the smallest of the big four that form part of the Haut Medoc. In a rectangular area less than 17 square kilometres squared, the region has 910 hectares of vineyards and only 19 independent winemakers out of which 11 are 1855 Classified Growths. Five are considered super seconds in so far as they are considered on par with First Growth wines including Château Léoville Barton.

This page: Château Léoville Barton. Photograph © Furax Fur, courtesy Château Léoville Barton. 38

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This is St Julien These wines have been chosen from a good selection for their popular ratings, acclaim among wine critics, great value quality ratio, rich terroir and/or great vintages. Our team have been given complimentary bottles from local suppliers to illustrate how best they express and characterize the appellation. Saint Julien is chiefly a Cabernet Sauvignon blend with the use of Merlot and in smaller quantities if at all Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec or Carmenere. Schematically Saint Julien’s topsoil is fine gravel of varying depths with a subsoil of sand, clay and limestone. This gravel gives Cabernet Sauvignon its signature full-bodied intensity with an austere power that requires time to mellow. A rich vein of humic content gives a pithy and fleshy dimensionality to the fruit aromas and timbered finish. The sand does its part in adding elegance and an aura of floral aromas while the clay can add tertiary depth and softness. However, the signature minerality of Saint Julien is a cedar, tobacco leaf, and lead pencil shavings backdrop to a dark fruit stone and berry confection with a balanced fluidity between the mid-palate textures and outer backbone of precise acidity and tannic support. It is this consistent and sublime experience that makes Saint Julien so collectable and reliably delicious. Overall each chateau has its own idiosyncratic flavour profile but roughly those closer to Pauillac are known to be more austere requiring a longer time in the cellar where those closest to Margaux have a familial floral cadence and vivacity. The key point however over and above terroir is winemaking style (decisions made in the vineyard; grape variety

balance; average age of vines; maturation and oaking levels) which can determine both the approachability of the wine at a young age and the expression of vintage, especially in more trying years. Vintage is important in terms of personal taste with some preferring the more structured or classical 2010 or 2014 to the fruit-driven 2016 or the purer 2017. In terms of price, Saint Julien wines are in the middle range since quality is synonymous and quantity is restricted both in terms of yield and small number of chateaux operating in the appellation. Within that scope they are better value for money than cheaper mass-produced wines and can age gracefully for decades. Overall an average between the Vivino popular ratings and the wine critic scores gives a close assessment of the value of a wine, especially in relation to price. Young to medium aged red wines should be decanted for a few minutes to a few hours (depending on personal preference and age and type of vintage) to increase aeration and allow the wine to soften and unfurl its character and bouquet (it can be well worth the wait, especially with full-bodied wines). Older wines need decanting according to type of vintage (check Instagram postings for specific vintages). Red wine should be served at around 15 degrees.

The tasting notes are deliberately by a team of wine aficionados not by professional sommeliers. If wine is good it should be distinguishable to amateurs otherwise there would be no public interest.

FOR OTHER TASTING NOTES ON WONDERFUL WINES JOIN US ON INSTAGRAM/FIRSTTHISISWINE Above, from left to right: Château Lalande-Borie, Château Lagrange, Château Branaire-Ducru, Château Du Glana, Château Lalande, Clos du Marquis, and Duluc de Branaire Ducru.

Clos du Marquis 2010 Site-specific Grand Vin from the Delon vigneron family of Leoville Les Cases fame €99.36 from Farsonsdirect Vivino popular rating 4.2/5 Overall Critics 92/100 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc Terroir: fine gravel on sandy clay gravel neighbouring the three Leovilles and the Pauillac chateau Pichon Lalande.Their terroir is a very strong contender for best unclassified land on the leftbank. Clos du Marquis 2010 is crushed velvet crimson red. A delicate bouquet of dried flowers, spun sugar, deep plum, slight undergrowth and wild mushrooms pervades the room unfolding into cassis, cedar, toasted caramelized brioche and baked apple pie spices in droves. The attack is all plum and black currant with dense medium-plus mid-palate textures of satiny tannins and a mouth quaffing acidity all wrapped up in an otherworldly wondrous finish where time is no longer counted in seconds. Black truffle, cigar wrapping, gunpowder and rabbit fur with a patina and resinous lustre speak volumes of a vintage at the height of its power even if this can age for decades longer. A gentle decant of three hours resulted in a wondrous transformation of bluer fruit, plum pudding, dark chocolate, dry violet flowers, walnut, date, meringue and cinnamon. There is a perfect synthesis of a whole slew of elements that come into play with a wine like this. From the austere power of deep gravel terroir with Pauillac overtones; the floral and undergrowth notes of sand and clay that give Margaux a run for their money; and Saint Julien at its most elegant and revered with its high calibre mineralized intensity and pithy antique timbre accents. My only advice is before opening please read up on what makes this wine so special it will only enhance one’s experience in understanding how dipping into something so ethereal is possible and at what cost to future pleasures.

Supplier details: Farsonsdirect has a vast selection of St Julien amongst which Beychevelle, Talbot, LéovillePoyferré, Léoville-Las Cases, Gloria, Saint-Pierre, Ducru-Beaucaillou, and Langoa Barton. Farsonsdirect, The Brewery, Mdina Road, B’Kara. Tel 00356 2381 4444. Web farsonsdirect.com 41

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Château Lagrange 2018

Château Branaire-Ducru 2006

Château Lalande 2013

Third Growth €93.87 from S. Rausi Trading Ltd Vivino popular rating 4.1/5 Jeff Leve 95/100 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot Terroir: 37-year-old vines on gentle sloping gravel and pebble hillsides with clay, and limestone near Gruaud Larose and Branaire Ducru.

Fourth Growth €68.08 from Farsonsdirect Vivino popular rating 4/5 Jeff Leve 92/100 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc Terroir: 35-year-old vines on deep gravel with clay soils close to the Gironde river and the chateau itself.

Château Lagrange 2018 is deep dense crimson. The bouquet is black stone and berry fruit, caramelized brioche, wet undergrowth, dry autumn leaves and some flowers, spiked with peppery anise, juniper and allspice. The attack is full throttle concentrated plum and cassis syrup with a full-bodied palate of kid-glove smooth tannins wrapped up in a sweet and dry cedar and fresh pencil shavings finish. The acidity is there in peaks but the depth and textures of the fruit give an endearing fluidity that is hard to describe. Upon decanting for a good few hours the wine opened up to more timber and spice with bluer fruit on the tongue and a weightier bitter sweet chocolate almond mint steely graphite minerality.

Château Branaire Ducru 2006 is vibrant dark red with bright bricking. The bouquet is a fragrant compote of well preserved red berries and currants spiked with vanilla, clove and allspice. The attack is fresh cherries both red and dark and strawberries giving way to a medium mid-palate purity of finely wrapped dry tannins finishing in a toast cedar, pencil lead, cream coffee and mint confection. Upon a one hour decant a floral perfume of laurel leaf and leather spoke of graceful aging. The wine blushed to a weightier, fleshier and more autumnal expression. I suggest drinking this wine from the moment of opening and enjoy the evolution of several hours in the glass. But as such this is drinking splendidly and brings out the best of St Julien in the gracefully refined and elegant category. This is at the peak of its power even if it can travel miles more.

Was once part of Chateau Lagrange Third Growth estate until it was bought by the Meffre family owners of Chateaux Du Glana and Bellegrave €45.12 from S. Rausi Trading Ltd Vivino popular rating 3.8/5 Overall Critics 85/100 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc Terroir: 30-year-old vines on a gravely plateau in the commune of Saint-Julien-Beychevelle near Talbot and Lagrange.

As such this is drinking unbelievably well already on first opening but a patient decant showed what tantalisingly lies beneath is good things to come in wave upon wave of dark stone spiced fruit and classically mirrored depths. Enjoy now but keep a few bottles for the coming decades. The fully ripened grapes and stems come through in folds in the volume, depth and structure making when to open more a point of personal preference but this is delicious.

Supplier details: S. Rausi Trading has a great selection of wines with a good pick of Bordeaux in a nice price range. S Rausi Trading Ltd, Empire Stadium Str, Gzira. Tel 00356 2131 6210. Web srausi.com/shop

The year 2006 was met by a cold wet winter broken by a hot early summer turning to a cool rainy autumn. This resulted in wines of good structure and bold tannins that needed time and now have come to their own in mellifluous detail. The purity of fruit is there nicely entwined with deep spice and fragrant timber but the highlight of this wine above the touch of filigree is the haptic textural mouthfeel with smooth dry folds perfectly balanced by a racy acidity, dash of ripeness and sculptural power to contemplate over. No wonder Branaire-Ducru has a cult following all of its own. Very beautiful.

Supplier details: Farsonsdirect has a vast selection of St Julien amongst which Beychevelle, Talbot, Léoville-Poyferré, Léoville-Las Cases, Gloria, SaintPierre, Ducru-Beaucaillou, and Langoa Barton. Farsonsdirect, The Brewery, Mdina Road, B’Kara. Tel 00356 2381 4444. Web farsonsdirect.com

Château Lalande 2013 is concentrated dense velvet in colour. The bouquet is mulberry, raspberry, caramel, vanilla with undertones of soft cedar, cigar wrapping and pencil shavings. The attack is red berries with a medium-plus bodied mid-palate cranberry tartness ending in a hunter’s lodge sweet timbered finish of wood, smoke, crushed flowers and a gunpowder resonance, a nod to the terroir at hand. The wine soon evolved to bear more fragrance and depth in the plum stone range with a damson and crab apple acidity giving way to a more autumnal feel of wet leaves and menthol. All in all this wine is at perfect drinking age and should be decanted just for theatre and quick evolution or stored further for a number of years to allow further amalgamation in the tertiaries. The year 2013 in this neck of the woods held many a vigneron’s sleepless night with the swish of storms and unrelenting wet weather marked by lower yields; a crisp acidity and tight ripening windows. But this shouldn’t stop you from delving into a wine whose complexity and expression is quite underrated especially when the price is taken into context. The contours of this wine are marvellously pummel edged enough (in an endearingly unkept schoolboy’s uniform kind of way) to provide textures of enjoyment beyond the precise or supple flavours giving the vintage character and style over and above the sublimity and consistency of Saint Julien even in difficult years.

ST JULIEN

Château Lalande-Borie 2014

Château Du Glana 2017

Duluc de Branaire Ducru 2015

From the owner of Ducru Beaucaillou the Borie vigneron family (from 2019 this wine is now called Le Petit Ducru) €42 from Mirachem Vivino popular rating 4/5 Overall Critics 89/100 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc Terroir: gravel and clay soils west inland of Lagrange.

Meffre Vigneron family €42 from Mirachem Vivino popular rating 4/5 Overall Critics 87/100 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot Terroir: 25-year-old vines on a gravely soils inland near Talbot and Lagrange.

2nd wine of Branaire Ducru Fourth Growth €42 (currently on sale €27) from The Store Vivino popular rating 3.9/5 Overall Critics 87/100 53% Cabernet Sauvignon , 44% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc Terroir: 40-year-old vines on elevated deep gravel with clay soils southeast of the Saint Julien-Beychevelle commune.

Château Lalande Borie 2014 is pure garnet red. The bouquet is dark berries, toasted brioche, sous bois and cedar. The attack is cherry both red and dark and more berries with a mid-palate softness of creamy textures ending in a maraschino and chocolate, graphite and gunflint finish. A mouth pleasing acidity keeps all the balsam fruit in check laced in cigar and cedar wrapping for good measure. Decanting for three hours resulted in more bramble and wild ripe stone and berry flavours with fleshier notes and weightier textures especially in the timbered secondary and earthy tertiary range. As such this is drinking splendidly already with all the classic Saint Julien signature notes but even better still is the soave limpidity and purity of this wine that remind me of well-aged grand crus. The syncretism and pulsating core are just at the beginning of their gilded journey of proper aging even if a taste of things to come are already tantalising present. The cold vintage of 2014 saved by an Indian summer harvest makes its mark in the poised ripeness and vibrant acidity but the skilful light-handed winemaking touch is what gives this wine a refinement and polish that punches way above its price point.

Supplier details: Mirachem has a vast selection of wines amongst which from St Julien: Léoville-Poyferré, Léoville-Barton, and Ducru-Beaucaillou. Mirachem, Mira Building, Triq Kan K Pirotta, B’Kara. Tel 00356 2148 8590. Web wine.mt

Château Du Glana 2017 is dark blood crimson red with a pleasing density. The nose is sweet raspberry and bramble berries with earth, cedar, pencil, cocoa and mint. An attack of crushed berries and red plum compote has a medium-bodied rich granularity of more fruit with a slight tart timber, tobacco leaf and vanilla bean finish. Upon decanting for an hour the aromas and flavours are fleshier with highlights in the red fruit range complemented by a more pronounced aura of cassis and cherry liquor. I suggest decanting this wine for just a short while to give time for a better expression but as such this is already drinking well upon opening. The key to this wine is perfect balance and syncretism between the Merlot and Cabernet grapes dovetailing to provide support both in the pulsating core of fruit and wood and the overall structure that gives this wine length and breadth at an enjoyable speed and saturation. The vintage is approachable now for its ripe purity and acidic precision (hence the high popular rating in contrast to critic reports) with a light heartbeat of Saint Julien signature gravely notes even if these are also accompanied by some sandy floral and alluvial base notes adding volume, textures and complexity in the mid-palate range.

Duluc de Branaire Ducru 2015 is brooding ruby red. The bouquet is fresh crushed mulberries, raspberries and plum with undertones of caramelized anise, allspice, cocoa and mint. The attack is dark plums with lush shades of ripening; a mid bodied palate velvety mouthfeel ending in an even more plush nectar ripe and timber spice finish. Upon decanting for a couple of hours the fruit have turned more bramble and wild with a decadent twist of more spice and wood held together by an acidic backbone of elegant structure. As such this is drinkable upon first opening but a few hours to evolve added more texture and depth. The gilded vintage comes through in the powerful shape and echo-worthy volume of the wine which although purposefully styled as a fruit-forward early drinker still has verve enough to age even more gracefully. A nod to terroir however is the coup de grace of this confection with the Merlot and clay combination providing all the silky tannins; the old vine Petit Verdot and Franc doing their bit in the timber, olive, cigar and spice range; and all leading to a crescendo of young Cabernet Sauvignon vines in deep gravel soil; all tart fresh plum and elegant graphite; in just the right dose to remind you of the noble pedigree at hand. I think this is critically underrated in so far as it is not so much a second wine but rather a vibrantly youthful version of a grand vin that needed the time to age in its own right and is now perfect for the drinking. Thoroughly enjoyable and very good value for money.

Supplier details: The Store has a large selection of French wines with a good range of Bordeaux at all price points. The Store, Triq taz-Zwejt, San Gwann (Industrial Estate). Tel 00356 2144 4364. Web thestore.mt

SUNKISSED IN CRETE, HARVESTED BY HAND This olive’s “natural juice” has all its ingredients intact thanks to the diligent process it undergoes from cultivation to pressing. Cultivated in Sitia, on the island of Crete, in an area world-famous for the quality of its olive oil, the olive trees grow in excellent soil conditions and in a special microclimate. Obtained through cold extraction and solely by mechanical means a few hours after harvest, this Extra Virgin Olive Oil is produced exclusively from the superior “Koroneiki” variety which offer a superb balance between bitter, spicy and fruity flavours and a distinct emerald shade.

FRESH COOKING “Spice a dish with love and it pleases every palate.” Plautus

Spiced Cravings The chefs at Mediterranean Culinary Academy have cooked up a storm with a selection of recipes that can just as easily be prepared and enjoyed individually or brought together and served as one complete dish for a delicious combination of textures and flavours. With a quick adaptation for one of the recipes the full meal can also be enjoyed gluten free. Photography Robert Pace.

FRESH COOKING

YOGHURT MARINATED CHICKEN Marinating chicken in yoghurt is an Indian technique that adds flavour and tenderness. Yoghurt has two important qualities that make it work as a marinade - calcium and lactic, which together help break down the protein in chicken, leaving it tender and moist. For this dish paprika, cumin, coriander, chili and garlic are combined to give a bit of kick.

SERVES 1 1 chicken leg, deboned 40g yoghurt 1tsp smoked paprika 1tsp cumin, crushed 1tsp coriander, crushed 1/2tsp dried chili, crushed 1 clove garlic, grated salt to taste 46

1. Combine yoghurt, garlic, spices and salt in a bowl. Add chicken and coat evenly in marinade. Refrigerate for up to 12 hours or leave at room temperature if you are going to cook shortly. 2. Heat a sauté pan over medium high heat (and place a sheet of baking paper in centre if the pan does not have a non-stick coating to prevent sticking). 3. Add a tablespoon of olive oil to pan and heat for a minute.

4. Lay chicken into pan away from you and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until well browned. 5. Finish cooking in oven if necessary. Check for doneness by touch or using a probe thermometer look for a reading of 65C. 6. Allow chicken to rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Add additional finishing salt to sliced chicken if you prefer heavier seasoning.

FRESH COOKING

SPICED BARLEY AND SPINACH SALAD While this recipe makes use of barley or farro this can easily be replaced with red quinoa, brown rice or oat grouts for gluten free, which adds a nutty rich flavour.

SERVES 2 100g farro (or red quinoa, brown rice or oat groats for gluten free) 1/2 onion, chopped 2 spring onion, sliced 1tsp cumin seeds, crushed 1tsp chili pepper, crushed 2 cloves garlic, minced 1-2 large handfuls spinach, chopped 1. Bring a pot of water to boil and season well with salt. Add farro and boil for 30 minutes. Once cooked, strain and allow to cool by spreading out over a tray. 2. In a sauté pan over medium heat add a tablespoon of olive oil. Once hot add onion and spring onion with a good pinch of salt. Allow to sweat until softened. 3. Add spices and toast for a minute or so until fragrant. 4. Add garlic and sauté until softened. 5. Add spinach and a generous pinch of salt and stir constantly to wilt. Turn off heat once spinach has wilted. 6. Combine farro and spinach onion mixture. Adjust seasoning with salt, lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil and fluff lightly with a fork to separate grains if necessary. 47

FRESH COOKING

ROASTED CARROTS The spices here contrast with the sweetness that comes through when the carrots are roasted. 3 carrots, scrubbed and rinsed 1/2tsp cumin 1/2tsp coriander 1/2tsp smoked paprika extra virgin olive oil, as needed salt to taste 1. Preheat oven to 200C. 2. Combine spices in a small bowl. 3. Pat carrots dry with paper towel. Coat lightly with olive oil and season well with the spice mix and salt. 4. Place onto lined baking tray and roast until the carrots are nicely browned and tender, about 30-45 minutes.

PICKLED CARROTS Pickling probably originated in ancient Mesopotamia around 2400 BC, and was used as a way to preserve food for out-of-season use and for long journeys, especially by sea. Much more recently in the 60s, 70s, and even 80s in Malta it was common for many households to pickle onions in brown vinegar on a window ledge in the sun (in old Nescafe jars). 2 carrots, sliced 2 stalks karfus – Maltese celery – sliced 2 shallots 1/2tsp coriander seed 1/4tsp chili flake 200ml white wine vinegar 200ml water 60g sugar 10g salt 1. Place carrots, karfus and shallots into a jar large enough to fit well. 2. Add whole spices. 3. Place a medium sized pot over medium heat and add water, vinegar, sugar and salt. 4. Whisk over medium heat until salt and sugar are dissolved and immediately pour over vegetables until completely submerged. 5. Once jar reaches room temperature, seal lid and refrigerate - you can store for up to 6 months.

Recipes are from The Mediterranean Culinary Academy's collection developed by their chef instructors. For more recipes, or to book a cooking class visit www.mcamalta.com or email contact@mcamalta.com.

FRESH COOKING

CHERMOULA VINAIGRETTE SPICED NUTS AND SEEDS These roasted spicy nuts need just a few minutes to prepare, and they can be stored well in an airtight container for future use... unless innocent hands find their way into the jar. But who's looking? 200g mixed nuts and seeds 1tsp smoked paprika 1tsp cumin, ground 1tsp sumac 1tsp chili salt as needed extra virgin olive oil as needed

Chermoula is a condiment or sauce used in North African cooking, in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya, made from fresh herbs, garlic, citrus and warm spices. 5 sprigs coriander, chopped 3 sprigs parsley, chopped 2tsp cumin, ground 1 clove garlic, minced lemon juice from 1/2 a lemon 40ml olive oil salt as needed 1. Combine herbs with grated garlic in a small jar. 2. Add spices, a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lemon. Shake to combine. 3. Add olive oil jar and shake to combine. 4. Adjust seasoning to taste with salt and lemon juice.

1. Preheat oven to 160C. Line baking tray with baking paper. 2. Combine spices in a mixing bowl. This can be made up in larger batches and stored. 3. In a separate mixing bowl combine nuts with a few drops of olive oil and a good sprinkling of salt and enough of the spice mix for good coating. 4. Spread nuts and seeds out into an even layer on lined baking tray and roast until nuts are well toasted, about 20 minutes. 5. Remove from oven and allow to cool to room temperature. Store in an airtight container.

Share your creations by tagging @mca_malta or sending MCA a photo on their socials. 49

HEALTH & FITNESS HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT AND KEEP IT OFF

ACCORDING TO SCIENCE Losing weight is often at the forefront of many people’s minds at the start of the year. But if weight loss was your goal this year, chances are that by now, you’ve probably already experienced some challenges. That’s because sticking to a strict calorie-controlled diet is not an easy task in modern environments – where tasty and high-energy foods are attractive and easily available. Dieting is also made particularly difficult by our body’s rapid response to decreases in food intake but opposing lack of response to overeating. This will be a familiar experience for many who have experienced almost immediate increases in hunger when dieting, says Kevin Deighton, Reader in Nutrition and Metabolism, Leeds Beckett University. Photography Annie Spratt.

Exercise may often be overlooked as people seek “the best diet for weight loss”. But getting active still remains important if you want to lose weight – and especially for maintaining weight loss over prolonged periods of time. Exercise can complement dietary changes and help to minimise the increases in hunger experienced from dieting alone. This is because exercise does not cause an increase in hunger to the same extent as dieting, despite also creating an energy deficit for weight loss. In fact, hunger is reduced when exercising intensely, which may help to stave off hunger pangs while increasing the energy deficit. 51

KurżitàJiem Spark your curiosity at Esplora! Meet various researchers, NGOs and academic institutions working in different fields of science and explore how science can help us improve our everyday life while participating in various hands-on activities.

19-24 APRIL I 10:00-18:00 Tickets at the Door or Online www.esplora.org.mt ESPLORA | Interactive Science Centre Villa Bighi, Kalkara KKR 1320 - Malta Esplora Interactive Science Centre was part-financed by ERDF. Esplora was declared to be an Emblematic Project by the EU Commission

HEALTH & FITNESS

ost people will also have experienced how easy it is to overeat during holiday periods or other occasions. A main course meal at a restaurant, for example, is likely to contain more than half of the calories required for an entire day.

OVEREATING NOT DETECTED

ur recent research has shown that overeating is poorly detected in humans, even when energy intake is increased to provide an excess of more than 1,000 calories per day. In this study, overeating with 150% of the required daily calories did not change the appetite of participants. We tested for this by looking at appetite ratings and levels of specific hormones known to regulate appetite, as well as checking the food intake of participants during the next day. Our findings showed how the body fails to adjust to account for these additional calories. This makes sense from an evolutionary perspective because in environments with limited access to food, overeating when food was available to our ancestors would increase their chances of survival by keeping them fuelled until food was available again. This shows that being aware of calorie intakes is important because short periods of accidental overeating can be sufficient to cause weight gain or impair weight loss. Indeed, some evidence suggests that increases in body weight during the festive period are maintained throughout the rest of the year. And may also be responsible for incremental annual increases in body weight. Similarly, overeating on a weekend can easily cancel out a strict diet that is maintained on weekdays. But understanding how easy it is to overeat does not mean that weight loss can’t be achieved. In fact, knowing this can help with weight loss – by being more aware of dietary choices.

DON’T FORGET EXERCISE

espite our body’s bias for weight gain, correct diet and lifestyle changes will produce and maintain weight loss if this is the desired aim. Exercise may often be overlooked as people seek “the best diet for weight loss”. But getting active still remains important if you want to lose weight – and especially for maintaining weight loss over prolonged periods of time. Exercise can complement dietary changes and help to minimise the increases in hunger experienced from dieting alone. This is because exercise does not cause an increase in hunger to the same extent as dieting, despite also creating an energy deficit for weight loss. In fact, hunger is reduced when exercising intensely, which may help to stave off hunger pangs while increasing the energy deficit. The importance of exercise for maintaining weight loss was also recently highlighted with participants from the US televised weight-loss competition, The Biggest Loser. The tracking of participants for six years after the show revealed that the people who maintained their weight loss had increased their physical activity by 160%. Whereas those who regained their lost weight had only increased physical activity by 34%.

FLEXIBILITY NEEDED

egardless of which dieting approach you choose, it is likely you will need a degree of flexibility – as most diets will require some compromise. Perhaps, for example, you are invited to attend a meal at a restaurant for a special occasion or there is a holiday celebration involving additional eating. Being aware that your body is not likely to respond to the increased calorie intake means that you can adjust your behaviour to avoid or compensate for any overeating, for example by being more mindful of food choices in the days before or after an occasion, or increasing your exercise levels to counter any excesses. What all this shows is that ultimately we should not rely on feedback signals from our body to detect levels of calorie intakes. Instead, conscious monitoring of diet and lifestyle behaviours is more than sufficient to counter our body’s natural bias for weight gain. And by appreciating this need for conscious monitoring, it may help you to achieve any desired weight loss goals over the year ahead. This article first appeared on The Conversation.

Regardless of which dieting approach you choose you will need a degree of flexibility. Perhaps, for example, you are invited to attend a meal at a restaurant for a special occasion or there is a holiday celebration involving additional eating. Being aware that your body is not likely to respond to the increased calorie intake means that you can adjust your behaviour to avoid or compensate for any overeating, for example by being more mindful of food choices in the days before or after an occasion, or increasing your exercise levels to counter any excesses.

RETIREMENT PLANNING

Nobody wishes to have worked all their life and then, at retirement find themselves in financial difficulty when one should be reaping the benefits of their hard-earned income. Making informed and educated financial related decisions now – including wise money spending decisions, can help you to achieve your retirement goals and desired quality of life once you reach retirement. 54

RETIREMENT PLANNING PENSIONS, RETIREMENT AND MORE

Getting on Top of Money Management ĠEMMA is the independent and credible financial capability portal falling under the office of the Permanent Secretary within the Ministry for Social Policy and Children’s Rights. You may have heard about ĠEMMA through information from a billboard, a TV programme or on social media. Some people associate it with education after their children may have participated in financial literacy themed activities, others with financial abuse after having participated in webinars. ĠEMMA is doing this and so much more to educate and equip Maltese with financial capability skills. So actually ĠEMMA is an educational initiative set up to create awareness of the importance of money management throughout all the stages of one’s life. We can help with any questions you may have on budgeting, managing debt, preparing for a rainy day, retirement planning, social security contributory pensions, private pensions, etc says the team at ĠEMMA. Photography Tristan Colangelo.

EMMA was initially conceived during the pension reforms in 2004 when the responsible PensionReform Group highlighted, following a public survey, that the reforms in the state pension could not be implemented appropriately without financial capability awareness, knowledge and education. This need emerged because of the notable gap between the pension mechanism and financial education, which if not properly addressed would have resulted in a lack of awareness of financial potential retirement income. It was recognised that people needed to be aware of their potential retirement income and that they had to make informed and educated financial related decisions during their lifetime to achieve their retirement goals and achieve their desired quality of life once they reached retirement. Nobody wishes to have worked all their life and then, at retirement find themselves in financial difficulty when one should be reaping the benefits of their hardearned income. Thus in 2015, following recommendations by the Pension Strategy Group, a National Financial Strategy was designed and following a public consultation, launched in 2017. The name of this first strategy was originally named the ‘Retirement and Financial Capability Strategy’ (RFCS) - this was subsequently rebranded as ĠEMMA Know, Plan, Act. This first strategy established a programme based on two streams: trusted knowledge coupled with information and education underpinned by a number of competencies. Since its launch in 2017 ĠEMMA has reached many milestones. ĠEMMA established strategic partnerships and collaborated with a number of partners through the timeframes covered by the strategy. Among these strategic partners are the GWU, the UĦM, the Central Bank of Malta, BOV, MSV Life, HSBC Malta Foundation, the University of Malta, the Malta Chamber of SMEs, Mental Health Malta, the Local Councils Association, APS Bank, eSkills Malta, EY and Aġenzija Żgħażagħ. These collaborations resulted in important research in the area of financial capability, outreach and training for various groups such as SMEs, service users of Paulo Freire Institute and Mental Health Service providers, informative awareness campaigns and educational measures in collaboration with the Education Ministry among various cohorts including school children and youths. Many educational interactive videos have been created, some in collaboration with stakeholders which address related topics such as money management, budgeting, saving for the future as well as the importance of making optimum financial decisions that would impact one’s future. As always these are brief, yet educational and entertaining to address the financial capability needs of particular cohorts in an engaging manner. We have also engaged influencers to speak about topics of financial literacy to their followers. ĠEMMA have also created a selection of ebooks on a large number of topics related to financial capability aimed to help educate people from various cohorts. These include a series of books on scams and frauds, a guide for self-employed, and guidebooks on mental health and financial capability. Other smaller informative publications for persons with various circumstances such as divorced persons, self-employed etc are also found in the same section of ĠEMMA’s portal. ĠEMMA has also published educational and fun ebooks on financial literacy targeting school children

which can easily be put to use as educational tools by teachers. Other tools on the portal include various calculators directed to assist in planning one’s budget. For the first time in Malta, ĠEMMA, in conjunction with the Department of Artificial Intelligence (DAI) of the University of Malta, held a competition for the creation of a digital game based on concepts of financial capability. This resulted in the ‘Money Monster’ directed at children aged 6 to 9 years old. A year later, the second edition of this competition has led to the creation of an app for parents and children called ‘Karus’ which is nearing its launch. Moreover, during the Covid-19 pandemic, ĠEMMA went online and our seminars became monthly webinars with various topics in the area of financial capability. Our training where possible was also carried out remotely.

n January 2022, ĠEMMA launched its second strategy, covering 20222025. This strategy is built on the basis of the first strategy, on lessons learnt and also on outcomes from research carried out. Following the new strategy launch, ĠEMMA collaborated with CARITAS to deliver a train-the-trainer to their outreach volunteers so that they could carry out financial capability training to children in schools and to persons within the community through local councils. We also launched the second session of specialised financial capability training for SMEs. ĠEMMA participated in Money Week 2022 through training for teachers. We have continued our collaboration with the Artificial Intelligence Department for the third edition of the gamification competition and are now in its second phase. Currently, as part of its campaign, ĠEMMA is in the process of holding training sessions, in collaboration with EMCS, on the importance of the Vocational, Occupational, Retirement and Pension Scheme (VORPS). These sessions will be delivered by professionals to heads of companies, highlighting the financial benefits (tax and incentives) that can be derived to both the employer and employee if employees enrol in this scheme. These sessions are meant to be held in the month of May. As part of its VORPS programme, ĠEMMA would also be organising webinars with renowned speakers as part of the panel to discuss further the importance of VORPS whereby participants would be given the opportunity to put forward any questions that they might have. Throughout its second strategy, as part of its obligation, ĠEMMA shall continue to develop more specialised training to educate the public on financial capability according to its needs. ĠEMMA will continue to undertake research and utilises all the financial tools necessary to disseminate its latest findings through webinars, as well as traditional and social media campaigns. This is because ĠEMMA aims to achieve a consolidated platform by taking national financial capability education to the next level in close collaboration with its strategic partners by strengthening existing ties and creating more opportunities for collaboration with existing and new partners. Follow ĠEMMA on Facebook and find more information and all of our resources on gemma.gov.mt 55

RETIRE TO A LIFE OF LUXURY AND COMFORT IN THE HEART OF SLIEMA The Imperial offers an exclusive and professionally managed retirement opportunity located in the heart of Sliema. Experience the luxurious facilities, companionship of others, a multitude of activities and top class dining experience. You can maintain your daily routines and live independently but with the peace of mind that help is at hand should you require additional support. We will support and enable you to lead a full and active lifestyle. Tastefully decorated in a traditional style, the home houses single rooms, double rooms and suites with 6,000 square meters of facilities including: • a state-of-the-art wellness centre; • a heated indoor hydrotherapy swimming pool; • a three-storey underground car park; • a coffee shop; • a hair and beauty salon; and • an onsite convenience shop.

At the Imperial we will support you and advise you in making the best decision for you or your loved one. Whether you are completely independent or require round-the-clock care, we will tailor your stay with us to your specific needs. Ultimately, what we want is for our residents to live happy, healthy and independent lives with us. Our dedicated team is waiting to meet you so why not contact us today to make an appointment to come and view our beautiful home.

GETTING THE CARE YOU DESERVE

OPEN ALSO FOR REHABILITATION AND SHORT STAYS

For more information: info@theimperialmalta.com The Imperial, Rudolph Street, Sliema, SLM 1279 | 2145 6440 | www.theimperial.com.mt A member of St George’s Care Limited – LIVE LIFE WITH US

PROMOTION

THE IMPERIAL IN SLIEMA AWAITS RESIDENTS WITH EXCEPTIONAL CARE

LIVING INDEPENDENTLY The Imperial in Sliema, a residential home managed by St George’s Care, is celebrating its first-year anniversary in May. In the past year, the exceptional care available to residents has extensively expanded to provide a plethora of geriatric services geared towards independent living, writes Dr Sarah Cassar, Managing Director of St George’s Care.

t The Imperial, which is the sister home of Casa Antonia in Balzan, residents can enjoy the over twodecade-long experience of high standards and genuine care that all its professional carers and nurses share. This residential home is all about independence. Residents are welcome to bring personal items with them, such as beloved pieces of furniture and memorabilia, to feel at home. Additionally, staff are conscious that encouraging family’s loved ones in the Golden Age to be independent can enhance their quality of life, as well as their cognitive, social and physical skills. In this context, The Imperial boasts state-of-theart, unique facilities that assist residents in living a quality life. The Roger Moore room, named after the world-renowned actor of the film ‘Shout at the Devil’ that was partially shot in The Imperial when it was a hotel, is dedicated to socialising and entertainment. The billiard table and the darts board often set the stage for friendly competition and engaging conversations. The well-equipped gym and the heated indoor pool allow residents to maintain a healthy lifestyle. While the abundance of open terraces and communal spaces, accompanied by alluring gardens, offer opportunity for

social interactions or blissful peace and relaxation. All these facilities are housed in a building at the heart of Sliema which is easily accessible, close to public transport, and equipped with an underground parking space.

The Imperial offers excellent, all-encompassing care and services to suit any individual's particular needs. Arrange a visit or enquire for further information by calling on +356 2145 6440. We look forward to welcoming you and your treasured family to a home that genuinely cares. 57

JOURNEY TO CARBON NEUTRAL

WHAT IS CARBON NEUTRALITY?

Carbon neutrality means having a balance between emitting carbon and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere in carbon sinks. Removing carbon oxide from the atmosphere and then storing it is known as carbon sequestration. In order to achieve net-zero emissions, all worldwide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will have to be counterbalanced by carbon sequestration. A carbon sink is any system that absorbs more carbon than it emits. The main natural carbon sinks are soil, forests and oceans. The carbon stored in natural sinks such as forests is released into the atmosphere through forest fires, changes in land use or logging. This is why it is essential to reduce carbon emissions in order to reach climate neutrality. Source: europarl.europa.eu/news

OPEN SPACES

MODERN TIMES

Open Spaces At the forefront of carbon neutrality is the setting up of green spaces to absorb carbon otherwise released from our energy consumption. One flagship project that inspires urban regeneration on a global scale is the redevelopment of the Champs-Élysées in the heart of Paris. In 2021 the mayor of Paris confirmed that a €250m makeover of the Champs-Élysées which would see a 1.9 km stretch of central Paris turned into “an extraordinary garden – would go ahead. The ambitious plan was unveiled in 2019 by local community leaders and businesses, reducing vehicle space by half, turning roads into pedestrian and green areas and creating tunnels of trees to improve air quality. The plans include redesigning the Place de la Concorde located at the south-east end of the Champs-Élysées. Photography courtesy of PCA-Stream. This page: A view of the 2030 vision for the Champs-Élysées by the architectural firm PCA-Stream, seen from Place de la Concorde. When André Le Nôtre, Louis XIV the Sun King’s gardener, designed the wide promenade in the 18th century, he designed the Grand Cours to be lined with a double row of elm trees on both sides. Photograph © PCA-Stream.

JOURNEY TO CARBON NEUTRAL

CLIMATE

TIME TO READ: BILL GATES’ CLIMATE BOOK HOW TO AVOID A CLIMATE DISASTER

f you want a sum up of what experts from each field are saying, this easy to approach, no-nonsense book How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need by Bill Gates outlines the answers. In his urgent, authoritative book Bill Gates sets out a wide-ranging, practical – and accessible – plan for how the world can get to zero greenhouse gas emissions in time to avoid a climate catastrophe. Bill Gates has spent a decade investigating the causes and effects of climate change. With the help of experts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, political science, and finance, he has focused on what must be done to stop a climate disaster. In this book, he not only explains why we need to work toward net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases, but also details what we need to do to achieve this profoundly important goal. He gives a clear-eyed description of the challenges we face. Drawing on his background in technology innovation, he details what it will take to get new ideas from the lab to the market. He describes the areas in which existing technology is already helping to reduce emissions, and outlines where breakthrough innovations are needed to take us the rest of the way. Finally, he lays out a concrete, practical plan for achieving the goal of zero emissions suggesting not only policies that governments should adopt, but what we as individuals can do to keep our government, our employers, and ourselves accountable to avoid the worst effects of climate change. “Two decades ago, I would never have predicted that one day I would be talking in public about climate change, much less writing a book about it. My background is in software, not climate science”, writes Gates. “In late 2006 I met with two former Microsoft colleagues who were starting nonprofits focused on energy and climate. They brought along two climate scientists who were well versed in the issues, and the four of them showed me the data connecting greenhouse gas emissions to climate change. I knew that greenhouse gases were making the temperature rise, but I had assumed that there were cyclical variations or other factors that would naturally prevent a true climate disaster. And it was hard to accept that as long as humans kept emitting any amount of greenhouse gases, temperatures would keep going up.” “Eventually it sank in.” The book includes a chapter on what individuals can actually do. “When I talk to people about climate change, I almost always get asked the same question: What can I do to help? So, when I sat down to write my new book, I knew I wanted to include a chapter about what actions individuals can take to move us closer to a zero-carbon future.” “It’s human nature to want to do something when you’re confronted with a problem – especially one as big as climate change. The good news is that there are things everyone can do”, continues Gates. He highlights that anyone can send signals to the market that people want zero-carbon alternatives. “When you pay more for an electric car, a heat pump, or a plant-based burger, you’re saying, “There’s a market for this stuff. We’ll buy it.” If enough people send the same signal, companies will respond – quite quickly, in my experience. They’ll put more money and time into making low-emissions products, which will drive down the prices of those products, which will help them get adopted in big numbers. It will make investors more confident about funding new companies that are making the breakthroughs that will help us get to zero.” ABOUT BILL GATES: Bill Gates is a technologist, business leader, and philanthropist. In 1975, he cofounded Microsoft with his childhood friend Paul Allen; today he is co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He also launched Breakthrough Energy, an effort to commercialize clean energy and other climate-related technologies. Source: Gates Notes. How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need, by Bill Gates. Published by Allen Lane, 272 pages.

This page: An aerial view of the vision for Port des Champs Élysées. Photograph © PCA-Stream. 61

PROMOTION

Above: The proposed 80,000sqm glacis park. Left: The Masterplan contemplates public open spaces which will total 175,000sqm.

OPEN SPACES

A MANOEL ISLAND MASTERPLAN WHERE OPEN SPACES HEAVILY OUTWEIGH THE BUILT-UP AREA

Manoel Island’s Open Spaces The Planning Authority’s planning board commended the efforts that have been made to achieve a more sustainable Masterplan having a better balance between built-up and open spaces, with the open spaces now heavily outweighing the built-up area.

he recently approved Manoel Island Masterplan provides for the development of a mixed-use development, incorporating residential, commercial, leisure facilities, sports facilities for the local community, a public park, and a centre for the arts and culture. In its decision, the Planning Authority’s planning board commended the efforts that have been made by the developer to achieve a more sustainable Masterplan having a better balance between built-up and open spaces, with the open spaces now heavily outweighing the built-up area. More land has been committed to parks, squares,

pedestrian priority streets and promenades, with most of the Island set to become a pedestrianfriendly destination. The decision to revise the Masterplan is a result of the site investigations carried out under the supervision of an independent archaeologist approved by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH). The investigations established that a large part of the site, which was previously earmarked for development, is of archaeological importance. One of the key drivers for this project is the emphasis on the quality and quantity of the area being assigned as public open space. The aspiration of this development is to create several new open spaces in prominent places within the Masterplan which, while integrating better

the heritage buildings, create open spaces of recreation for the general public’s enjoyment. The archaeological sites uncovered during recent investigations will also be integrated into these open spaces. The new Masterplan contemplates that the footprint of the new buildings to be developed on Manoel Island will be scaled down to cover less than 10% of MIDI’s concession and the gross floor area of the new buildings will be 40% less than that permitted in the original Outline Development Permit. The Masterplan for the development of Manoel Island contemplates public open spaces which will total 175,000sqm. The public open spaces include the 80,000sqm glacis park which surrounds Fort Manoel and a 35,000sqm landscaped public

open space extending from the entrance of Manoel Island to the Lazzaretto quay. The public open spaces account for more than two-thirds of Manoel Island and MIDI is committed to ensuring that these always remain accessible for the enjoyment of the public. The public open spaces being provided, particularly the glacis park, will go a long way towards providing the outdoor recreational space which is sought after by people living in the area. Access to the foreshore is also guaranteed and in terms of the guardianship agreement concluded with the local council dedicated swimmer zones will be provided in order to provide a safe environment for bathers. Furthermore, apart from the public open spaces, MIDI is committed to providing amenities for the benefit of the local community, including a football and bocci pitches and a slipway for local enthusiasts. In a move away from the original plan that included 14,000sqm in land reclamation, the revised Masterplan does not include the land reclamation originally contemplated as part of the development. As a result, the residential block which was proposed for the north shore entrance to Manoel Island will not be developed, thus reducing the impact on the Gzira community. By focusing on creating open spaces and protecting heritage assets, the revised Masterplan represents a new way of preserving Manoel Island for the benefit of its residents and visitors. This blend of history with the contemporary world will transform Manoel Island into a new and unique destination for Malta. As a responsible developer MIDI will continue to work closely and transparently with all stakeholders, by listening, engaging, and providing updates throughout the project, thereby ensuring the delivery of significant benefits to the community for the long term. 63

PROMOTION

Above: Wide angle shot of Spencer Gardens prior to works being carried out.

A GREEN SUSTAINABLE LUNG IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT

Regenerating Spencer Gardens Although we often associate the environment with open spaces and nature, our urban environments rarely fit in that category. The urban environment however, is one of the most important environments for most of us - not because it is important from a natural standpoint – on the contrary – but because we spend most of our time within those environments and hence we need to bring the nature back into our urban environments, writes the ERA team.

URBAN ENVIRONMENT

Top and above: Sketches from the storyboard for garden, which will see a healthier environment with the removal of several invasive alien species, which hinder the growth of local indigenous plants and trees, and their replacement with local species.

he government has already pledged greener urban environments - and this has been seen worldwide. Sustainable development can go hand in hand with greener spaces and healthier lifestyles - but the process has to be well thought through and planned. Urban gardens are one of the best examples of how we can inject nature into our urban environment. The Spencer Gardens are currently undergoing a regeneration process that is set to be exemplary and lead by example for upcoming green lungs in our urban spaces, leading to the

development of the Guido Lanfranco Gardens. The new garden aims to reflect the new garden concept by combining green infrastructure; community gathering; socio-historical aspects typical of the area; rainwater conservation; and biodiversity conservation and management, aspects which were always promoted by the late Guido Lanfranco, one of Malta’s pioneers on the environment. The garden will see a healthier environment with the removal of several invasive alien species, which hinder the growth of local indigenous plants and trees, and their replacement with local species. A small nursery to promote local plants will also be set up. The environmental features of the Guido Lanfranco Gardens are also being planned in a way to assure sustainability - with minimal use of water and maximum benefits for the residents. Sustainable irrigation and lighting systems will be installed, including a new reservoir for rainwater collection and a new sustainable water feature that will host a rich wetland habitat throughout the whole year without the need for replenishing water. Moreover, being the only green lung in an industrial area, Guido Lanfranco Gardens will offer its residents - and passers-by alike - an area to relax and wind down, work or even study the quiet part of the garden. Works on the garden are undergoing and all the necessary care and attention has been given to assure the best possible outcomes in the coming months. Guido Lanfranco Gardens are expected to open its doors towards the end of 2022 and offer residents a new experience and designers and engineers, a new challenge to look up to while designing upcoming projects in urban areas.

Far left: Being the only green lung in an industrial area, Guido Lanfranco Gardens will offer an area to relax and wind down, work or even study the quiet part of the garden. Left: Sustainable irrigation and lighting systems will be installed, including a new reservoir for rainwater collection and a new sustainable water feature that will host a rich wetland habitat throughout the whole year without the need for replenishing water. 67

PROMOTION “In all our decisions, including our network upgrades, we take into account the impact on the environment, and especially how we can minimise or reduce carbon emissions. As we will always need electrical power for our operations, Melita supports international renewable energy projects to offset the remainder, whilst continuing to invest to reduce our carbon emissions.” Harald Roesch, CEO at Melita Ltd

Above: As part of the efforts to reduce emissions, Melita has invested substantially: initiatives include installing solar panels at the Melita Data Centre and investing millions in the company’s mobile and fixed networks to reduce electricity consumption.

Melita: Carbon Neutral and Future-focused Melita Limited is proud of its carbon-neutral status. Being carbon neutral means that the carbon emissions from the daily running of Melita’s business, which include direct carbon emissions from company vehicles, and indirect carbon emissions from the electricity used to provide internet, mobile, and other services, are balanced by carbon reduction and offset activities. Melita has achieved carbon neutrality firstly through a range of initiatives that have limited carbon emissions, and secondly by investing in international renewable energy projects to offset the remainder. Melita’s calculations and progress have been independently verified by Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy efficiency and sustainability. Harald Roesch, CEO at Melita, is proud of his team's success. 68

uilding on its carbon neutrality, and based on its commitment to reducing Greenhouse gasses (GHGs), in 2022 Melita will join the Science-Based Target Initiative (SBTi), a partnership between the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the United Nations, World Resources Institute, and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) which aims to achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. By joining this initiative, Melita will commit to a clearly-defined path to reduce emissions in line with the Paris Agreement goals, helping prevent the worst impacts of climate change and future-proof business growth by pursuing efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C. In terms of the practical steps taken by Melita to reduce emissions, the company has invested substantially: installing intelligent lighting and cooling systems

CARBON NEUTRAL

Above: Pride of place: Melita’s achievements in applying sustainable practices across its operations were recognised at the Smart & Sustainability Business Awards, organised by the Ministry for the Economy and Industry towards the end of 2021. The monetary prize awarded to Melita as part of the award was donated to The Melita Foundation, to support its ongoing support environmental projects. Below: Melita started rolling out a fleet of electric vehicles early in 2020; further reduction of emissions will be achieved by switching almost 40% of company vehicles to electric during 2022.

across its sites and retail outlets, and solar panels at the Melita Data Centre, and designing the company’s mobile and fixed networks in the most energy-efficient way, particularly through dynamic power

optimisation in Melita’s nationwide Ericsson 5G network. Melita started rolling out a fleet of electric vehicles early in 2020 with 40 percent of company vehicles planned to be electric by the end of 2022. This switch to cleaner transportation will continue as vehicles become obsolete, with 90 percent of the fleet predicted to be electric within the next three years. Further reductions in GHG emissions from vehicles were achieved when the majority of Melita’s employees moved to teleworking in March 2020, significantly reducing direct GHG emissions from daily commuting and indirect GHG emissions through energy savings in Melita’s offices. These benefits have been maintained as the option of flexible working has continued through to 2022.

“In all our decisions, including our network upgrades, we take into account the impact on the environment, and especially how we can minimise or reduce carbon emissions. As we will always need electrical power for our operations, Melita supports international renewable energy projects to offset the remainder, whilst continuing to invest to reduce our carbon emissions”, says Harald Roesch. The results of these investments were already clear in 2020 when, measured across direct and indirect emissions, Melita achieved a 173,567 Kilogramme reduction in GHG emissions. 2020 also saw Melita adopt a lifecycle approach to GHG emissions, through which greater focus was placed on recycling and redeploying equipment. As a result, by the end of 2020, 81 percent of customer equipment returned to Melita was being redeployed, compared to just 14 percent in 2019. Melita’s achievements in applying sustainable practices across its operations were recognised at the Smart & Sustainability Business Awards, organised by the Ministry for the Economy and Industry towards the end of 2021. The monetary prize awarded to Melita as part of the award was donated to The Melita Foundation, to support its ongoing support environmental projects.

ooking to the future, Melita will remain focussed on sustainability. Melita plans to build solar farms to generate green power for its operations, as well as continuing to invest in international carbon capture projects. To reduce emissions throughout its supply chain, Melita is using Malta-based suppliers whenever feasible and is applying environmentally friendly purchasing policies, further cutting emissions generated by transportation. Melita will also prioritise suppliers that have similar carbon neutrality targets and work with other partners to reduce emissions. Environmental responsibility remains a standing review item for the executive team, with 12 sustainability KPIs tracked under the direct leadership of the company’s CEO, Harald Roesch. Having obtained ISO 50001 and ISO 14001 certification in Energy Management & Environmental Management, which include specific provisions for monitoring progress, Melita’s sustainability objectives will continue to address 12 of the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals, promoting equality & inclusivity, sustainability and governance. In this, the Melita Foundation will continue to play a key role, supporting non-profit organisations, individuals, and other stakeholders to enable the development of the digital skills and creativity Malta needs for growth whilst respecting and preserving the country’s cultural heritage and environment.

PROMOTION WORKING TOWARDS A CLEANER AND GREENER FUTURE. HOW MALTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS PUTTING THE PLANET AT THE HEART OF ITS INITIATIVES

Going Green at Malta International Airport

2022 marks 30 years since the Malta International Airport terminal building was inaugurated, heralding an exciting era for Malta’s connectivity. As the airport proudly celebrates the past three eventful decades, it is also looking ahead to a cleaner and greener future. The year 2050 may appear to be very distant to most of us, but Malta Airport has been working towards reaching net-zero emissions by this date for the past years, cementing its commitment towards the achievement of this goal by signing the industry-specific Net Zero Resolution in 2019. And it is aiming to become carbon neutral even earlier than 2050, writes the Sustainability Management Team at Malta International Airport.

alta Airport’s first photovoltaic system - made up of 437 individual panels - was installed in 2012, back when Malta had started seeing a heightened interest in this form of energy. Since then, another three photovoltaic systems have been installed on the airport campus, the last one of which is constituted of more than 1,400 bifacial panels. While this fourth system was only installed in December 2021 and did not contribute to last year’s clean energy yield, the airport was already successful in generating 2.08 million kWh of clean energy - enough to power around 250 average Maltese households for a year. And the airport plans to continue 70

investing in solar energy, with a suitable location for the installation of the fifth photovoltaic system having been identified in 2021. Planned to be installed later this year, this system will allow the airport’s airfield to run entirely on clean energy. Electricity consumption is the main contributor to Malta Airport’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while fuel has a lesser contribution of around 10%. To address fuelinduced emissions the airport put in place a Vehicle Replacement Programme, through which it has been gradually making the shift towards the procurement of cleaner cars. As part of this programme, 28% of the vehicles used by the airport’s Management Team and for operational reasons have been replaced by hybrid or electric models. The airport’s next step in this regard will be the implementation

GOING CARBON NEUTRAL

of a more detailed and long-term Vehicle Replacement Plan to procure the most energy-efficient models for its operational fleet. The success of these initiatives is measured through the widely used GHG intensity metric. Back when the airport started using this metric in 2016, its GHG emissions stood at 1.2 kilos of CO2 per passenger, and by 2019 this was lowered to 0.7 kilos of CO2 per passenger. Plans to aim for further reductions in this intensity metric were interrupted by COVID-19 and its decimating effect on passenger numbers, which declined by 76% between 2019 and 2020, resulting in a spike in the kilos of CO2 per passenger. A lot of effort is put into carbon and energy management because this is where Malta Airport feels that it can have the biggest and most quantifiable impact. But the airport’s environmental initiatives are not limited to this area. Water stewardship is another pillar of its green endeavours, particularly given how scarce this natural resource is in Malta. One of the key initiatives in this regard is rainwater harvesting through the airport campus’s seven reservoirs. And an eighth reservoir having a capacity of 10,000 m3 will be built as part of the airport’s recently approved Apron X investment. Malta Airport has also put its irrigation practices under the lens, in order for it to be able to improve its methods – through the installation of more sensors, for instance – and further reduce water usage here. In 2021, the water used for irrigation purposes at the airport accounted for 43% of its total nonpotable water consumption. The plan is to conduct a study of the water savings that would be achieved through the replacement of the current aesthetic grass with more sustainable indigenous vegetation. Over the past five years, Malta Airport has also taken a good hard look at the waste it generates, with a particular focus on singleuse plastics. The airport’s initial initiatives to reduce single-use plastic, including the replacement of all the water bottles used in meetings with water jugs, led to a drop of 4,700 kilos in the plastic waste generated between 2018 and 2019. This encouraged the airport to look into the removal of more plastic and single-use items from its operation. 2021 saw the airport’s Procurement

Facing page: One of MLA's PV systems. Top : Malta Airport’s first photovoltaic system was installed in 2012. By December 2021 a fourth system was installed, and a suitable location for the installation of the fifth photovoltaic system has already been identified. Planned to be installed later this year - this system will allow the airport’s airfield to run entirely on clean energy. Bottom: Apis Mellifera Ruttneri - the Maltese honeybee at one of the airport's two apiaries. In 2016, in collaboration with a local beekeeper, a parcel of land along the airport perimeter was transformed into a bee-friendly habitat. Then in 2021 a second area was transformed into an apiary, with the airport bee population reaching around three-quarters of a million. While contributing towards the revival of bee colonies, samples of honey are analysed to monitor air quality.

Team launch a project through which a number of unrecyclable or single-use items, which are used as part of the day-to-day operation, are being replaced by greener alternatives. The Team has so far succeeded in finding biodegradable or paper alternatives for mailing bags, the gloves and transparent bags used at the Security Screening Area, and packaging tape.

other, the honey produced at the airport is independently analysed in a laboratory for pollutants and benchmarked with samples of honey from apiaries located in a rural environment in the north of Malta, allowing for the monitoring of the air quality.

green initiative that seems to pique everyone’s interest is the airport’s apiary project. A parcel of land along the airport perimeter was first transformed into a bee-friendly habitat in 2016 in collaboration with a local beekeeper. Last year, a second area was transformed into an apiary, with the airport bee population reaching around three-quarters of a million. The aim of this initiative is two-fold; on the one hand, it is contributing towards the revival of bee colonies, which have been on the decline due to a number of threats, including the loss of suitable habitats. On the

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THE INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY AT UM PROPOSES SOLUTIONS TO NEAR-ZERO CO2 EMISSION BUILDINGS DUE TO ENERGY USE

PROMOTION

ZeroCO2

The Institute for Sustainable Energy (ISE) at the University of Malta is currently an active partner in a project funded by the EU called ZeroCO2, partnering with other Universities to propose solutions to CO2 emissions. Researchers are conducting an in-depth SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) on several policy instruments when it comes to deep renovation of buildings leading to zero carbon emissions.

Above: The Solar Research Lab (Marsaxlokk Campus).

n a recent partner meeting in Slovenia, the ISE identified four policy action areas that can have a high impact on the deep renovation of buildings and further decarbonisation of the building stock in Malta in the coming years. The project team members at the University, along with colleagues from other Universities, proposed a number of policies that will lead to less CO2 emissions.

One of the limitations identified locally and in EU countries is that EPCs are not very effective. People perceive the EPC as yet another bureaucratic step when one buys or sells a property. Some local banks are enticing clients by offering more attractive loans to promote energy efficiency based on the EPC rating. EPC quality improvements have to be justified through proper monitoring and enforcement.

Proposed Policy Action 1

Proposed Policy Action 3

SETTING OF INDOOR AIR QUALITY REGULATIONS FOR MALTESE BUILDINGS The spread of COVID-19 in indoor spaces can be drastically reduced through an adequate fresh air supply. It has been noted that so far, Malta has not clearly defined legislation with regards to minimum fresh air levels in new and existing buildings. As it stands today there are several international standards that can be referred to when designing ventilation processes for buildings, but this can be confusing and poses different interpretations by the building industry. Therefore, harmonised regulations that take into consideration local Mediterranean climate conditions, ensuring adequate fresh air in all kinds of buildins, is needed.

Proposed Policy Action 2

INCREASED CONFIDENCE AND STRONGER USE OF ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES (EPCS) The EU has identified EPCs as a useful tool to promote the decarbonisation of building stock. There is a strong push to strengthen the quality of EPCs and their use, to effectively play a prominent role in the deep renovation of buildings based on the outcomes and the accompanying recommendations of the EPCs.

IMPROVED AWARENESS OF ENERGY USE THROUGH BETTER ACCESS TO ELECTRICAL SMART METRE DATA FOR END-USERS While smart metres are available locally, their potential benefits are not fully utilised. For example, consumers do not have access to their energy consumption data through an app, which potentially limits energy awareness and reduces the need to save energy and avoid energy poverty. In today’s connected world, this policy action could be substantiated by developing a partly-financed project and adapting it to the Maltese electricity network and consumers. Moreover, the use of such mobile apps provide opportunities to further integrate other services such as online payment of bills, access to alarms for high energy consumption, and more.

Proposed Policy Action 4

ESTABLISHING A ONE-STOP-SHOP FOR ALL MATTERS RELATED TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY IN BUILDINGS One-stop-shops have been identified as key facilitators in the EU Renovation Wave. A report by the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy emphasises

that during the COVID-19 pandemic, onestop-shops, which have been guiding customers throughout the entire renovation journey, are even more needed, as their objective is to help overcome uncertainties. Several one-stop-shops have been successfully implemented in Malta such as those found in the economic, health, and digital governance. An energy one-stop-shop needs to keep abreast with changes in regulations whilst also remaining up-to-date in learning and applying appropriate best-practice solutions. This ensures that it will lead to full decarbonisation of existing buildings while also catering for new ones. The one-stop-shop initiative provides a golden opportunity to streamline existing services in the energy sector. For example, the Energy and Water Agency has an ongoing energy audit scheme for SMEs, free interactive courses for businesses, and energy evaluation visits for homeowners. On the other hand grants for renewable energy and energy efficiency systems are also available. These services need to be managed holistically to maximise their benefits to society.

COMING UP NEXT The forthcoming international ZeroCO2 peer-review discussion forum will be held in Malta on 8 June 2022. It will provide an opportunity to learn from other project partners who have successfully implemented similar initiatives in their regions and further consolidate these proposals in order for them to be presented for consideration, to the relevant policy responsible authorities. Stakeholders interested to participate in this forum may contact the organisers by email on charles.yousif@um.edu.mt. Situated in Marsaxlokk, the Institute for Sustainable Energy offers programmes of study at postgraduate level in Sustainable Energy, including the possibility for students to complete this degree programme on a part-time basis. More info can be found at um.edu.mt/ise 73

PROMOTION MALTA SUSTAINABILITY FORUM APRIL 2022 EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

LEVEL UP FOR CARBON NEUTRALITY The main objective of the Malta Sustainability Forum (MSF) is to raise awareness on the topic of sustainability, with the aim of empowering citizens to make conscious decisions towards a more sustainable life. Based on the success of the previous editions, this year MSF will be delivered as a series of afternoon events, online or hybrid as the circumstances permit. The first event for MSF 2022 titled ‘Level Up for Carbon Neutrality’ was held online this April and included a series of distinguished guests including H.E. Dr George Vella, President of Malta who emphasised the importance of this topic, British High Commissioner to Malta, H.E. Katherine Ward LVO OBE on COP26, Prof. Charles Galdies on how climate change is impacting Malta, Prof. Simone Borg on what Malta is doing to reach its targets, and H.E. Mohamed Ibrahim Nasr on what to expect from COP27. The event also included a panel discussion on what businesses are doing to combat climate change and how they are overcoming obstacles, as well as presentations on how everyone can make more sustainable decisions in their daily life. MSF is organised by APS Bank plc as sustainability lies at the heart of the Bank’s values, underpins its business strategy and is a core pillar of its Corporate Social Responsibility Programme. Follow the Malta Sustainability Forum to LEARN, ENGAGE & ACT.

M Highlights

Development Goals - SDGs - of the UN. The pandemic affected gender equality, poverty, and education, with higher inequality being a consequence, thus reversing gains in the SDG goals. To get SDGs on track again, economic recovery should focus on dealing with these issues. One should also add another P for Peace, where resources are used for welfare and not for war.” “Malta still has challenges despite the progress registered, for example with regards to traffic. Lack of adequate planning is an important element to consider.” “Banks must contribute to SDG targets by adopting processes and undertaking business that contributes to ESG. Banks need to ask whether they are contributing to sustainability when making decisions, and persons need to be trained to be sustainability-minded.” “The aim of the Forum is not to reach a conclusion on sustainability but to continuously raise the main concerns and discuss them.”

WELCOME ADDRESS BY MARCEL CASSAR, CEO, APS BANK

OFFICIAL MESSAGE BY H.E. DR GEORGE VELLA, PRESIDENT OF MALTA

The APS Bank CEO referred to last year’s Forum where Sustainability was discussed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance - ESG - are becoming interchangeable. Sustainability is meeting the needs of today without threatening the future.” “Banks are at the heart of business decisions and such decisions should not lead to environment degradation.” Referring to the 3 Ps People, Planet and Prosperity, “one of our overarching aims of the creation of the Forum was to create awareness about the 17 Sustainable

Praising APS Bank’s efforts in organising the Forum, he referred to the 1992 Sustainability conference among others, which concluded that there is a need to balance between the economy and ecology. “The quest for sustainability is a fact for survival and of ensuring the future.” Reference was also made by the President to Pope Frances Laudato SI, to combat poverty, fight poverty and protect the environment. “Despite its acknowledgment and appreciation, the concept of sustainability is an elusive one. This is mostly due to how economic performance is measured. It is recognised that work has been

SF is designed to be an informationrich event, suitable for all audiences to learn from and inspire them to act in different areas of their life. Liana DeBattista, APS Bank’s Chief Strategy Officer says: “We want people to understand the sense of urgency to act now to limit their carbon footprint, reducing the emissions of greenhouse gasses, minimising the increase in temperature on earth. Climate change will cause instability in weather patterns which has a devastating effect, especially on small island states like Malta - and the impact is already being felt. Everyone has a crucial role to play, it is not just governments and businesses which need to act, but each and every one of us.”

undertaken to incorporate ESG factors in measuring economic performance.” He concluded by saying that “Tieħu bla ma trodd, is-swar tħott”, which liberally translated means that “Consuming without replacing would deplete anything”.

WHAT WAS COP26? WHAT WERE THE OUTCOMES AND WHAT ACTIONS HAS MALTA AGREED TO? PRESENTED BY H.E. KATHERINE WARD LVO OBE, BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER TO MALTA The British High Commissioner to Malta highlighted that there is no greater global challenge than climate change. She focused on the discussion undertaken in COP26. She explained the aim of COP meetings and referred to the first COP meeting in Paris. During that meeting it was agreed to deal with emissions. She also pointed out that every single COP meeting referred to the first COP meeting’s conclusions. “During COP26 targets were agreed upon to address Climate Change. The aim is to meet yearly to assess progress on the

commitments made by participating countries. The percentage of countries with nationally determined contributions have increased over the years. An important achievement was the Paris Agreement Rulebook.” “One of the agreements reached in COP26 was for the phasing out of coal.” Another agreement reached was “to financially compensate countries that are losing out because of climate change. Action was agreed upon during COP26 to protect trees, which are important allies in combating climate change. Another action agreed upon was the transition from petrol-fuelled vehicles to electric vehicles.” She also highlighted that COP26 pledges signal 1.8°C of warming. “Malta was a very active participant in COP26.” She referred to Malta’s pledges to end and reverse deforestation by 2030, among other commitments.

HOW IS CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTING MALTA? PRESENTATION BY PROF. CHARLES GALDIES, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL

SUSTAINABILITY AWARENESS MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING, INSTITUTE OF EARTH SYSTEMS Prof. Galdies based his presentation on two important reports – Climate Change 2021 and the Mitigation of Climate Change. During his presentation he quoted figures and conclusions from these reports and referred to the material used in fossil fuels and fluorinated gases which both heavily contributed to Climate Change. He also presented an infographic showing that the Mediterranean is a hotspot for climate change, explaining that the impacts of climate change in the Mediterranean are due to harmful emissions. Prof. Galdies also presented an infographic outlining drought conditions in Europe. “If we deal efficiently with climate change, the sea level will still rise 3 metres going forward. In the case of Malta, this means that the coastline can be easily inundated. Global warming will affect Malta’s economy adversely, such as tourism, infrastructure, and farming.”

WHAT IS MALTA DOING TO REACH ITS TARGETS? KEYNOTE SPEECH BY PROF. SIMONE BORG, CLIMATE ACTION AMBASSADOR The Climate Action Ambassador opened her talk stating that “it is paramount to discuss climate change”, and in reference to the IPCC report quoted ‘that it’s now or never’. Elaborating on actions to be taken to address climate change, she stated that “the whole of society needs to act to deal with climate change and reach carbon neutrality by mid-century. During COP26, most of the countries agreed to act. Yet, this should be accompanied with actual action.” She referred to the EU actions to reach carbon neutrality and referred to Malta’s strategies in this area, including net carbon neutrality. “Given Malta’s size, the cost will be high, however, Malta has still committed itself to reaching the EU targets.” Prof. Borg stated “the Government’s role is to regulate in this regard and provide capital investment. Yet, the private sector has an important role to play. Citizens need to contribute by not resisting change.” “Malta needs to continue investing in renewable energy, given Malta’s past actions in using cleaner ways to generate energy. Measuring performance is crucial so one can assess and act accordingly.”

What are businesses doing to combat climate change and how are they overcoming obstacles? Panel discussion. DAVID XUEREB, PERIT, PAST PRESIDENT OF THE MALTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ENTERPRISE AND INDUSTRY “All citizens have a role in combating climate change. Despite Malta’s smallness, the country can turn these challenges into an opportunity with the right attitude. Malta needs to learn and understand how to profit from such opportunities. Maltese people should discuss these issues and how all can contribute to decarbonisation.”

GIOVANNI BARTOLOTTA, CHIEF RISK OFFICER & ESG COMMITTEE MEMBER, APS BANK Embracing ESG is not a choice anymore, but a must and thus the development of an ESG Strategy is very important. Strong governance is required to meet ESG objectives and these are dependent on five pillars: 1. The Board which sets the tone and approves an ESG Strategy. 2. Establishing what the ESG Strategy is and embedding it in the business planning cycle. 3. This Strategy is to be translated through policies and procedures, such as a Responsible Lending policy. 4. Establish risk management processes to assess, monitor and control ESG risks. This includes stress testing by taking into consideration long time horizons (10 years). 5. Adequate reporting and disclosure.” He also emphasised the importance of transition and advised that resources are to continue to be invested in these areas, which contribute to tackling sustainability.

GONCA KARA DEMIR, EIT CLIMATE, KIC HUB MALTA Climate, KIC Hub Malta promotes the concept of social enterprise, which are self-sustainable. “In social enterprises, profit and impact on sustainability work in harmony. Several CEOs prefer the social enterprise model as the way forward.”

ING. MARIO SCHEMBRI, FOUNDER, AIS GROUP “The biggest influence for

businesses is customers, as they have an important role to play. However, in reality it is regulation that is leading the fight on sustainability. Unless customers tailor their demand towards sustainability, local businesses are not expected to act much.”

SUZANNE D’AMATO GAUTAM, PRESIDENT OF SEAM AND FOUNDER & CEO OF ECO MARKET MALTA “Trying to bridge the gap between what is needed and what is currently being done is paramount. This includes education, innovation, and new products. Supporting local business to overcome CO2 emissions in Malta. Trying to catalyse the ecosystem. These points can be achieved by stakeholders working together.”

How can we all limit our carbon footprint in our everyday life? FASHION FOR CLIMATE ACTION – TONYA LEHTINEN, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF VOGUE XCHANGE SOCIAL ENTERPRISE “Clothing waste is simply a result of over-consumption and manipulative marketing actions. Customers need to be part of the action in influencing the fashion industry. Customers need to inform themselves on clothing sustainability. Opt for quality, change your relationship with clothes, and read the label.”

CHOICES THAT MATTER: HOW OUR DAILY MEALS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE – EMANUELA DE GIORGIO, FOUNDER OF THE VEG BOX MALTA AND THE FARMOURY: SUSTAINABLE HUB MANIKATA Emanuela De Giorgio discussed the importance of sustainable food; the need to support the social side of farming; creating local food by adequately compensating producers; the need to encourage more people to join the farming industry; the need to learn how to tackle food waste, and to not buy out of season and to read the label. “Such action will lead to the creation of a virtuous cycle.”

SEPARATE RIGHT, MAKE OUR FUTURE BRIGHT – DAVINIA SHEAD, PROFESSIONAL OFFICER – MEDIA OUTREACH, PR & COMMUNICATIONS, WASTESERV Davinia Shead highlighted some of the work undertaken by WasteServ including a campaign on improving how people deal with recyclable material. “Items disposed are to be cleaned beforehand. People need to put more effort to separate their waste in line with the guidelines provided by WasteServ.” WasteServ is also investing in new facilities called ECOHIVE.

WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT IN COP27? WHAT WILL BE THE KEY ACTIONS GOING FORWARD? PRESENTED BY H.E. MOHAMED IBRAHIM NASR, DIRECTOR OF CLIMATE, ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEPARTMENT, EGYPTIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIR Referring to Egypt’s role to organise COP27, “The COP27 success is the timely implementation of the commitments made by countries during COP26. Egypt will focus on keeping the momentum, improve financing and that actions are on track. The discussion will also include the needs of Africa vis-à-vis climate change.”

CONCLUDING REMARKS BY LIANA DEBATTISTA, CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER, APS BANK Liana DeBattista referred to the points raised by most of the speakers. “Several actions have been taken by individuals and the private sector. This indicates that effort is being directed to fighting Climate Change. She referred to the need to keep the pressure up and to work together, whilst noting the current fragilities in the geopolitical situations. Quoting the President of Malta that ‘Tieħu bla ma trodd, is-swar tħott’, “if we make every moment matter, the actions of all will be fruitful.” For more information or to sign up for MSF’s newsletter visit maltasustainabilityforum.com or follow on Facebook Malta Sustainability Forum. 75

PROMOTION

THE ROAD TO CARBON NEUTRALITY Transport Malta’s role goes beyond the mere regulation of all modes of transport in Malta. The Authority is also crucial for the development of the local transport scenario on the same lines as the changes occurring at regional and international levels. This applies to all modes, particularly to road transport, writes the team at Transport Malta. Photography Isaac Struna.

THE ROAD TO CARBON NEUTRALITY

oad transport is essential for various parts of today’s life, having direct economic and social impacts. However, it also has a significant environmental impact, particularly through the emission of pollutants and greenhouse gases from tailpipes, brakes, and wheels. Over the past two decades, we have seen a drastic reduction in pollutants, such as Nitrogen Dioxide - NO2, Carbon Monoxide - CO, and Particulate Matters - PMs, emitted by road transport. However, the sector still emits more than 70% of the greenhouse gases generated by transport, which represents almost a quarter of Europe’s total emissions. It is therefore clear, also in view of Europe’s decision to aim at Carbon Neutrality by 2050, that reducing the emission of greenhouse gases - GHGs from road transport is a priority to slow down Global Warming and mitigate related risks. However, the road to Carbon Neutrality will not be easy and requires various technical, economic, and social efforts. Achieving this Carbon Neutrality requires a transition from fossil-fuel-powered vehicles to new propulsion methods, such as electricity and hydrogen. The transport industry has invested heavily in these technologies over the past decades and now we can see the fruit of this work as more electric vehicles, especially cars and vans, hit the market, and as new models, even those powered by Hydrogen, are expected to become available in the coming months.

ransport Malta has been monitoring and preparing for this transition to zero-emission vehicles for several years, knowing well that the cost of such vehicles is, and will be for the foreseeable future, significantly higher than that of conventional ones. Important steps have been taken to support this change, like the waiving of registration taxes and licensing fees for the first 5 years. Moreover, since 2018, Transport Malta and the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects (MTIP) have been giving direct financial help to anyone willing to invest in full electric or hybrid vehicles. The financial incentives being offered in 2022 are by far the biggest and bravest. The total budget for this year is 20 million Euro, including 15 million Euro from Malta’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), and is intended to boost the ongoing

transition. The incentives focus primarily on the purchase of Battery Electric Vehicles for all categories. It is also the first time that such financial help is being offered for the purchase of zeroemission heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks, buses, and coaches. There are also other incentives aimed at reducing the environmental impact of existing vehicles through the retrofitting of Photovoltaic Panels and/or Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) Systems, as well as the conversion of diesel engines so that they can simultaneously operate on diesel and LPG. Moreover, the Maltese government has committed to pump a further 35 million Euro of EU Funds by the end of 2024 to further support this transition. All the above-mentioned efforts have resulted in an everincreasing uptake of electric vehicles, as drivers in the various sectors are becoming accustomed to the idea. In fact, as shown in the figure, 12.8% of all newly registered vehicles in Malta in 2021 were Battery Electric Vehicles and 4.5% were Plug-in Hybrid vehicles, whereas in 2018 these shares were 2% and 0.1% respectively. At the start of this year, the full complement of Battery Electric Vehicles and Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles stood at 5,727and 1,745 respectively. This positive trend is expected to continue growing further in the coming years. Another important approach to carbon neutrality and sustainable transport is that of reducing the need for actual transport through multi-modality and the use of alternative solutions, such as walking and cycling. Various initiatives have been taken in this regard, and more are needed. A key action that deserves special attention is that of free public transport, which will be extended to the entire population in October 2022. Notwithstanding these promising results, there is still a lot of work ahead of us. The introduction of electric or hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles is taking longer than expected, and these vehicles have a big impact on the environmental performance of the sector. Moreover, the related investment is higher than that for small cars and vans, since an increase in the use of electric vehicles requires big investments and advances in the charging infrastructure. The same applies to the distribution and use of Hydrogen. Transport Malta, like all its counterparts locally and abroad, is ready for the additional efforts required to see this transition process through to the end.

AUCTION “Many believe – and I believe – that I have been designated for this work by God. In spite of my old age, I do not want to give it up; I work out of love for God and I put all my hope in Him.” Michelangelo

IL DIVINO REDISCOVERED

drawing by Michelangelo, discovered in 2019, will be offered for sale this May by Christie’s in Paris with an estimate on request - in the region of €30 million. The drawing, A nude young man (after Masaccio) surrounded by two figures, is an exceptionally rare work, one of the very few drawings by Michelangelo still in private hands. A work by the young Michelangelo in Florence dating to the end of the 15th Century, this drawing is probably the earliest surviving nude study by the artist. The central figure reproduces the shivering man depicted in the Baptism of the Neophytes, one of the famous frescoes from the Santa Maria del Carmine Church in Florence by the early Italian Renaissance master Masaccio (1401-1428). Using two shades of brown ink, Michelangelo makes Masaccio’s figure his own by enhancing the man’s musculature and creating a more powerful and robust figure. In a quite different, more energetic style, Michelangelo later added two figures behind the shivering man, unrelated to Masaccio’s original composition. This page: This exceptionally rare work, one of the very few drawings by Michelangelo still in private hands, will be auctioned on 18 May during Christie’s Paris sale, Old Masters and 19th Century Art: Paintings, Drawings and Sculptures. Michelangelo Buonarroti, A nude young man (after Masaccio) and two figures behind, pen and two shades of brown ink, 33 x 20 cm. © Christie’s Images Limited. 78

SERVIZZI EWROPEJ F’MALTA YOUR GATEWAY TO EU SERVICES IN MALTA

Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta (SEM) is a government agency committed to making the European Union and its benefits more accessible to citizens and organisations in Malta and Gozo. The services of SEM make it easier for citizens to reap the benefits of EU membership and is meant to serve as the main point of contact for citizens and organisations on EU-related matters.

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