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Maltese wine dates back over two thousand years to the time of the Phoenicians. In the beginning of the 20th century Marsovin and Emmanuel Delicata wineries were established. In the 1970s wine production became more serious and international grape varieties began to be planted. After joining the European Union in 2004 protective levies were lifted. Locally produced wines with a "DOK" designation are protected designations of origin within the European Union.
Some of the wineries resort to using imported grapes because agricultural areas are severely limited on the islands by the growth of settlements and tourism. A wine festival is held in Valletta. In 2005, 630 tonnes of wine were produced on the islands.