Wine coins will be the common currency at this summer’s Delicata Classic Wine Festival, exchangeable for glasses of delightful Maltese wines. Each one of the four wine-and-joy filled evenings promises to be as magical as ever with a great line-up of wine, food and music.

Organised by Emmanuel Delicata Winemaker, Malta’s greatest wine experience of the year is back for its 16th consecutive edition. It takes place over four nights, from August 10 to 13 at the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta, from 7 pm to midnight.

Delicata wine festival glass, wine coins and purses.

There will be over 20 wines to be sampled. Vintages of nine Delicata award-winning brands will be served from as many stalls spread along the garden’s periphery.

These include the semi-sparkling Frizzantes made from the native old bush vines Girgentina and Ġellewża, a selection of tasty white, red and rosé DOK Malta Medina and DOK Gozo Victoria Heights boutique wines, the noble mono-varietals of the iconic flagship Gran Cavalier selection, and Malta’s most internationally awarded Grand Vin de Hauteville range.

Visitors can also taste the sweeter lifestyle Dolcino, the exclusive Maltese Falcon wines, the popular lush Casella Moscato, other varietals of the Classic Collection, and all three of the Pjazza Reġina wines.

To try the wines, all one has to do is to purchase a little wine purse for €15 at the entrance gate. The wine purse comes filled with 24 wine coins and complete with a souvenir glass which is for the wine lover to keep. Otherwise, entrance is free.

Handing over the correct change of wine coins at the stalls inside will prompt dedicated wine stewards to pour a standard 150ml glass of the wine on show in the festival glass.

Since the winery is committed to sustainable practices, Delicata has sourced environmental-friendly coins made from a starch-based material extracted from potato peel which, if left exposed to natural elements, will fully biodegrade.

Different wines hold different amounts of coins. Six wine coins can be exchanged for a glass of Delicata’s flagship wines, while only three coins for a pouring of other quality wines. The marked coins are valid for one evening only; they may be kept as a memento.

Live cooking stalls will be serving a variety of both traditional Maltese and international dishes to tease a wide range of palates. Maltese favourites will be prepared by Maypole, Indian dishes by Gate of India and other oriental dishes by Asian House. There will be also various cheese and charcuterie platters by Catermax, as well as desserts.

Presenter Mireille Bonello will compere the live entertainment. Every evening there will be a double-bill starting with an opening-night concert on Thursday by WaterWings and Red Electrick. The Busker and the Spiteri Lucas Band will perform on Friday, Planet Seed and The Crowns will play on Saturday, and Cash & Band and The Travellers will bring the wine event of the year to a close on Sunday.

Delicata Privilege Card holders can use the fast track facility provided they pre-book and pay online through Delicata’s website. Strictly no wine will be served to anyone under 17. Wine purses and glasses are sold until 11pm, wine is poured up to 11.30pm and the festival closes every night at midnight.

For more information, visit www.delicata.com.