15th Delicata Classic Wine Festival

Malta’s greatest wine event of the year is back for its 15th consecutive edition, at the Upper Barrakka Gardens overlooking the Grand Harbour in Valletta, from Thursday, 4 to Sunday, 7 August. Every evening from 7pm until midnight, it promises to be grander than ever.

Balmy, starlit Maltese summer nights, delectable wines, great music and friendly hospitality, the Delicata Classic Wine Festival, organised by Malta’s foremost winery, is all rolled into one. It is the showcase for Malta’s wines par excellence.

In all, there are 24 wines to sample as often as one likes. Vintages of nine Delicata awardwinning brands are served from as many stalls spread along the enchanting garden.

These include the semisparkling Frizzantes, a selection of delectable white, red and rosé Medina and Victoria Heights boutique wines, noble mono-varietals of the iconic flagship Gran Cavalier selection and Malta’s most internationally awarded Grand Vin de Hauteville range. Besides Dolcino and the Maltese Falcon wines, varietals of the Classic Collection as well as the Pjazza Reġina blends will be available to taste too.

The way it works is straightforward. Entrance is free. To try the wines, you just purchase a wristband for the night and a personal souvenir glass for €14. Showing the wristband at a wine stand will prompt dedicated wine stewards to pour the wine on show in the bespoke festival glass. No wine will be served to anyone under 17 and patrons are reminded to enjoy responsibly. The last glasses and wristbands are sold at 11pm. The last wine is poured at 11.30pm and the festival closes at midnight.

Live cooking stalls will be serving an array of Maltese favourites such as suckling pig, Mediterranean and Indian dishes, sushi as well as a selection of pizza, various cheese and charcuterie platters and desserts.

This special 15th edition sees the introduction of a new fast track facility for Delicata Privilege cardholders. They have the advantage to skip the queue at the cash points on the night by pre-booking online at www.delicata.com.

Another first is Salute! which is a fully-seated al fresco wine and fine dining experience laid on at the reserved lower level of the Saluting Battery on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. Salute! offers a delicious menu of plated dishes and matching wines, all served under the starry sky over the Grand Harbour. This is organised by the Delicata Winery in close collaboration with Island Caterers. Salute! event tickets are secured at €45 per person in advance through www.delicata.com/salute/

Festival revellers will be entertained by live performers. Compered by Mireille Bonello, every evening there is a double-bill starting with an opening-night concert on Thursday by Cash & Band and Red Electrick, followed on Friday by Planet Seed and the Spiteri Lucas Band, bands Xarulù and The Crowns play on Saturday, while on Sunday, Relick and George Curmi ilPusé, will once again bring the greatest wine event of the year to a close.

The Delicata Classic Wine Festival is supported by Mapre Middlesea, Petrolea, APS Bank, Mediterranean Building Finishes and Mediterranean Scaffolding Ltd.