Delicata is showcasing its wines in six days’ time at the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta.
The Delicata Classic Wine Festival which began in 2002 was created to celebrate the beginning of the Maltese grape harvest, and this year it is likely to be accurate to the day, as the first grapes to be pressed at the Delicata winery will most likely be on the starting date of the wine festival itself, on Thursday, August 6.
This event, which attracts close to 28,000 people over the four evenings, is a good occasion for wine buffs to taste and try all the latest vintages and new wines available from over 20 QWPSR (quality wine produced in a specific region) produced from grapes grown in either Malta or Gozo.
Entrance to the gardens is free, but if one wants to try the wines, one has to purchase a wristband and a souvenir glass for €12.50 at the cash points (which is then yours to keep) and then try as many of the wines on offer as liked.
The festival opens at 7pm and glasses and wristbands are sold until 11pm. The last wine is poured at 11.30pm and the festival closes at midnight.
There will be live entertainment every night
No glasses or bottles will be sold or alcohol poured to anyone under the age of 17.
There will be a number of live cooking stalls serving suckling pig, pasta dishes, pizza, paella, koftas and kebabs, Indian dishes, sushi, Thai noodles dishes, a selection of cheese and cured meat platters and kannoli with an assortment of fillings.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights only, a Mediterranean Grill buffet, accompanied by Delicata wines, will be served in the fully seated restaurant area in the Saluting Battery for €36 per person.
Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling on 2143 3268 or by sending an e-mail toevents@islandcaterers.com.mt.
There will be live entertainment every night starting with an opening night concert by Red Electrick and Planet Seed (August 6), Billy Lee and the Spiteri Lucas Band (August 7), Relikc and the Crowns (August 8) and Cash & Band and George Curmi ‘Il-Pusé’ and his band (August 9).
The festival will be compered by Mireille Bonello and street magic will be performed by Magician Ivan Mallia on all the nights.
Three weeks later, between August 28 and 30, a three-day Delicata Classic Wine Festival will take place at the Council Gardens in Nadur.
There will also be live entertainment every night and an assortment of food stalls selling both Gozitan and international dishes.
There will also be a regular shuttle service operating each night between the Mġarr ferry terminal and the festival in Nadur for a nominal fee of €2 return per person.
For more information, visit www.delicata.com or www.facebook.com/DelicataWinery.