Taste the finest Bohemian and Moravian wines at traditional wine harvest festivals
Prague, September 2011 The Czech Republic is renowned for having the world’s best beer, but wine lovers will also find here much to their liking. Experience the Indian summer in the Czech Republic and visit traditional wine festivals with friends. Enjoy and savour the best harvests of Bohemian and Moravian vineyards.
Pálava Vine Harvest in Mikulov, 9–11 September 2011
Come to hail the King of Bohemia Wenceslas IV, taste this year’s “burčák” (partially fermented fresh grape juice), stimulate your taste buds with gastronomic delicacies, and enjoy an exceptional cultural show. Such programme is offered at the Pálava Vine Harvest 2011 in the South Moravian town of Mikulov (http://www.palavske-vinobrani.cz/). Folklore groups, cimbalom ensembles and brass bands will perform, and stars of Czech and foreign pop music will also provide entertainment. There will also be a historical procession, winemakers’ stalls and a fair with traditional crafts and select delicacies. The greatest connoisseurs can take part in the Czech championship in distinguishing bouquets, which will be held at Mikulov Castle.
Historical Vintage Festival in Znojmo, 9–10 September 2011
In Znojmo, the history of wine festivals runs even deeper, with the main protagonist being Wenceslas IV’s grandfather, John of Bohemia, who rode through this city in 1327. At that time the city prepared for him a rich programme, remnants of which are still on display to spectators to this day – including the traditional handing over of rights to the aldermen.
Every September, the rich programme of the Historical Vintage Festival in Znojmo attracts tens of thousands of visitors from across the country. A number of supporting events such as theatre performances and celebrity concerts are prepared for tourists, but the main attraction is the traditional, historical part of the wine festival. It offers jousting tournaments, demonstrations of traditional crafts, and the main event – the historical procession through the city. King John of Bohemia, his wife Elisabeth of Bohemia, and Bacchus, the god of wine and good spirits, take centre stage. In addition to the traditional historic figures, the procession will also be joined by flambeau jugglers, standard-bearers, drummers and pipers, singers and dancers, acrobats, and other merrymakers. As a finale, the procession should be complemented by parade floats with decorations and performances depicting the entire history of the city of Znojmo. http://www.czecot.com/event/101971_znojmo-historical-grape-harvest-2011
It is a traditional wine festival at which bells and drums resound through city streets, “mázhauzes” (street-level townhouse winemaking halls) open their doors, and the wine and burčák flow. Medieval plays, a historical fair with crafts, and other attractions can of course be expected. As usual, in 2011 almost the entire city centre will be the stage for this event, specifically a significant portion of the urban monuments preservation area and its surroundings.
Mělník Grape Harvest, 16–18 September 2011
A traditional town festival – folk crafts, fencing duels, street entertainment, a historical military encampment, the procession of Charles IV and his retinue, fireworks, and, above all, plenty of Mělník wine. The first wine festival took place here in 1878, marking the 500 year anniversary of Charles IV’s passing. At that time, the Central Bohemian town of Mělník was given a statue of Charles IV from Jan Neuberg (located today on the lookout behind the Mělník chateau). In 1911, a similar wine festival, conceived as a public celebration, was held. Today, the event has a truly spectacular character. The programme takes place on four stages: The main stage will be located at Náměstí Míru. The stage on Husova Street will feature country music, while sword duels, period dances and jugglers can be seen at the historical stage at Palackého náměstí. Finally, the Svatováclavská (St. Wenceslas) arts and crafts lane will host the Jarmark (or Market Fair) stage with exhibits relating to history and tradition. The celebrations reach their peak Saturday evening, when King Charles IV comes to town with his entourage to inspect the grape harvest and taste the Mělník wine. Celebratory fireworks will light up the city in tribute to this rare visit. http://www.melnik.cz/kultura-skolstvi-pamatky/melnicke-vinobrani/melnicke-vinobrani.html
Litoměřice Wine Festival, 23–24 September 2011
What awaits you during the Litoměřice Wine Festival at Mírové náměstí? A main stage, children’s stage, street stage and jazz stage, each with its own programme all taking place simultaneously. The street stage, flanked by a number of market stands and a knights’ encampment, will offer Gothic-period music, dance shows, theatre, jugglers, stilt walkers, a number of scenes from life in the Middle Ages, and jousting tournaments with dozens of participants. Of course, a royal procession headed by Charles IV is also part of the festival.
A completely new feature will be the big Winemakers’ Tent, which will complement the offer of the popular burčák and tap wine stands with an expert presentation of varietal wines led by members of the Bohemian Winemakers’ Guild. The Litoměřice Wine Festival in the stunning Central Bohemian Uplands should certainly not be missed.
http://www.last.fm/festival/1609781+Vinobran%C3%AD+Litom%C4%9B%C5%99ice+2010
Karlštejn Wine Festival, 24–25 September 2011
The already 15th Karlštejn Wine Festival takes place once again at perhaps the most famous castle in Bohemia. The 250-member procession in Gothic costumes headed by Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia Charles IV and his wife Elizabeth of Pomerania will guide visitors of the Central Bohemian Karlštejn Castle back to the 14th century. You can look forward not only to tasting wine, burčák and culinary delicacies, but also to historical stands with demonstrations of traditional crafts, fencing, juggling and piper shows. Also part of the rich programme for children and adults is instruction in historical dances and an evening fire show. During both days, this programme takes place both at the castle and in the castle surroundings. http://www.mestys-karlstejn.cz/turisticke-informace/vinobrani/
For more information, please contact:
Andrea Bobáňová
Press Department Manager
Czech Tourist Authority – CzechTourism
Tel.: 221 580 485
Email: bobanova@czechtourism.cz
Bara Ticoalu
Assistent
CzechTourism Scandinavia
Villagatan 21, Box 26 156
100 41 Stockholm
Sweden
T: 46 8 44 04 221
F: 46 8 41 12 855
