Bottles in suitcases, jugs on floors. Wine, tourism, the European Union, and Cultural identity on Gozo, Malta

Abstract

On the island of Gozo, wine is an avenue for cultural identity. Gozitans create identity for themselves through practices associated with wine, while at the same time there are also forces associated with wine that create an identity of Gozo that is perceived by the outsider. Tourism and Malta’s recent induction to the European Union are currently two factors that have a significant position regarding culture change on Gozo. Tourism and the EU both have aspects that affect practices associated with wine. Therefore this article will look at wine in the lives of Gozitans and what influence tourism and the EU have on wine in Gozo.