The much-awaited third edition of the Classic Wine Festival, organised by Emanuel Delicata Winemaker, will return to the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta on 6, 7 and 8 August. The first wine festival attracted a staggering 26,000 wine-lovers to the gardens in the heart of Malta’s capital city. The second edition held last year attracted over 38,000. This year the organisers are striving to reach the 50,000 mark.
As usual there will be a wide range of quality Maltese wines from a number of Malta grown grapes such as Syrah, Chardonnay, Grenache, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and of course the two unique indigenous Maltese grapes Ghirgentina and Gellewza. Two food areas will have a range of international dishes to choose from including Maltese seafood kebabs, juicy French steak with pepper sauce, Chinese sweet and sour pork and much more.
An entrance fee of 50c will be charged (children free) and anyone wishing to drink will need to
purchase a souvenir wine glass (which is theirs to keep) for just Lm3.00. Just present this wine glass and show the coloured wristband for that particular evening at any of the wine stands and you can try as many of the wines as often as you like during that night. The wristband will change colour each night and wine pourers have been instructed not to pour wine unless the correct coloured wristband for that particular night is shown.
Bill Hermitage, Delicata’s sales and marketing manager said visitors can visit the wine stands as often as they want but insisted that as organisers, they were appealing to the public to drink in moderation and be on their best behaviour.
Also following the positive feedback from Valletta shop-owners, the organisers this year struck a cooperation agreement with several bars and restaurants in Valletta which will be receiving food orders until midnight on the three nights of the event. The outlets involved are: Cocopazzo Restaurant, Castille Wine Vaults, Trattoria Campanella, De Robertis Rooftop Restaurant and La Cave Pizzeria, Castille Hotel, Eddie’s Cafe Regina, Luciano Restaurant and Pizzeria, Cettina Cafe, Cafe Jubilee, Pizza Hut, Trabuxu Wine Bar, British Hotel, Cafe Matteo, Cafe Premier, Il-Kapitali, Ristorante Giannini and Trattoria Barrakka. Emmanuel Delicata is Malta’s oldest family run winemaker, established in 1907. This fourth generation winemaking company is the island’s largest wine producer and has received over fifty international awards for its wines from France, Italy and the United Kingdom. As well as producing a wide range of quality Malta wines the company plays an active role in other educational and marketed related activities both for the Maltese people and tourists alike.
Doors open at 7.30pm and the event comes to an end at 11.30pm. Entertainment by popular local musicians and groups will be held every night. Attractions include live entertainment from a number of artists including the popular George Curmi, Steve Cole, Paul Abela, Mark Spiteri Lucas and their bands.
The lower part of the gardens will, just like last year, host the popular Grandharbour Grill which has been increased to take over the whole lower area. For just Lm7.50 per head al fresco diners can enjoy a small appetiser, a choice between a seafood grill or a grilled meat platter including side salad and baked potato and finally a fruit salad accompanied by a half bottle of wine per couple. Tickets for the Grandharbour Grill need to be purchased before going down into the gardens, from the cash point at the top of the stairs. On the first evening there will be the customary six-boat regatta from the company’s winery on the waterfront to the water’s edge just below the bastions, followed by a re-enactment of the ancient art of grape crushing up on the main stage. The grape crushing event will take place on all three nights.
Finally, as was the case last year the festival will move to the viticultural heart of Gozo, Nadur for two days at the end of the month. On the 28 and 29 August a slightly smaller version of the event will take place at the Nadur promenade overlooking breathtaking views of Comino and Malta. No entrance fee will be charged, but a souvenir wine glass will need to be purchased for Lm3 by anyone wishing to drink. The famous Maxokk people will be there with a range of their popular ftira and a seated area will be serving local Gozo rabbits fenkata style. There will also be live entertainment and, of course, some great wines.