The Maltese wine industry is doing well in spite of the fierce competition it has faced since Malta joined the EU, according to the managing director of Delicata Wines, George Delicata.

"Two years and three months have gone by and here we are again, announcing the fifth Delicata Classic Wine Festival," he said.

The festival will be held between August 3 and 6 at the Upper Barrakka Gardens, in Valletta, and between September 1 and 3 in Nadur.

Bill Hermitage, Delicata's wine expert, said the festival was gaining popularity among tourists and some were sending the company e-mails asking when next year's festival will be held so they could book holidays for that period.

Over 20 quality Maltese wines pressed from locally grown grapes will be available at this year's festival. These include Chardonnay, Syrah, Grenache, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. "Simply buy a glass at the entrance, which is yours to keep as a souvenir, and drink as much wine as you like," Mr Hermitage said.

There will be various foods to accompany the wine. This year there will be a fresh Oyster bar, a Focaccia bar and a Wine Sorbet bar using Delicata wines.

An open-air fully seated Grand Harbour Grill restaurant will be set up in the lower gardens, offering diners a freshly prepared mixed grill of fish or meat.

The festival kicks off with a jazz night on Thursday. Other performers will include Joe Brown, Claudette Pace, Steve Cole, George Curmi Il-Pusé, and Charles "City" Gatt.

For the first time, Delicata will also be commemorating the Wine Festival with a special edition wine - Kastilja, a locally grown 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon.

The label of this wine is the result of a competition Delicata held earlier this year and which was won by Keith Balzan, who is also holding his first exhibition at St James Cavalier, in Valletta.

Only 500 bottles and 50 three-litre magnum bottles of this special edition will be available.