With June comes the perfect excuse to start planning your wine and food summer holiday.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE VINEYARD?
In the Northern Hemisphere, following the flowering and pollination period, the fruit sets and forms clusters of green baby grapes which continue to grow throughout the summer. It is very important to have fine stable weather conditions during the growing period to secure a good crop. In the Southern Hemisphere, things are quieter in the cellar – however, fine wines may be racked again over the next few weeks.
WHAT’S ON?
From wine festivals to open cellar doors, fine food tastings, and music and art festivals, here is Winerist’s overview of the best wine and food events taking place this June.
Photo: ramadamonterey.com
3rd-5th June 2016
Taking place right in the heart of the Californian wine country, the Monterey Wine Festival offers a great opportunity to taste some of the most popular wines, the best chowders or sausages, or to enjoy an afternoon with passionate winemakers. What’s more, you can also experience spirits and beer at one of the stands. Along with all these festival ingredients, live music is the final sensation making this a not-to-be-missed gathering.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/huichica
10th-11th June 2016
Huichica Music Festival attracts crowds of people for its music, wine and food. Last year there was a lot of entertainment for children too including hula hoop lessons and a killer scavenger hunt while this year promises the most dynamic and extensive selection of music in the festival’s history! A wonderful setting, happy people, delicious food; what more could you hope for?
Photo: Napa Valley Vintners
Napa Valley
2nd-5th June 2016
This is one of the best wine auctions in the world! Expect a weekend of fun with a choice of dozens of parties (formal and informal), open cellars and more than 250 lots of great wines to be auctioned! The proceeds of the Napa Valley Auction all go to charities which in the past have raised over $111 million in total.
Photo: Stellenboschvisio.co.za
Taste the Helderberg
Helderberg
15th June 2016
The Helderberg region is one of South Africa’s top wine regions, so don’t miss the opportunity to taste some of the best wines. The 2016 Taste the Helderberg celebrates artisanal food and wine. Participating Wine Cellars include Bilton, Ken Forrester Wines, Longridge, Lyngrove, Peter Falke, Somerbosch, Vergenoegd and Waterkloof Estate. Food lovers will be able to sample a range of signature dishes and decadent sweets. With more than 100 premium wines to sip on and dishes from local chefs and artisanal producers.
UK
photo: facebook.com/foodiesfestival
Birmingham
3rd-5th June 2016
The Foodies Festival is a national event that tours various cities across the country. This massive event attracts over 300,000 foodies. The festival returns to Birmingham’s Cannon Hill Park 3,4,5 June. The festival brings together the very best culinary talents of the British foodie scene. Meet Michelin starred Chefs Richard Turner, Brad Carter and Nathan Eades cooking their signature recipes in the Aga Rangemaster Chefs Theatre, with Great British Bake Off Winner Nadiya Hussein and MasterChef’s Tony Rodd and Dhruv Baker.
Feast in the Street Food Avenue; learn to bake in the Cake and Bake Theatre; enjoy afternoon tea in the Vintage Tea Tent; taste wine, champagne and craft beer in the Drinks Theatre; buy from local producers in the Artisan Market; kids enjoy the Childrens Cookery Theatre; live music on the Unsigned Music Awards Stage; enter the Chilli Eating Competition; refreshing cocktails from the Bar Bus and Pimms Teapot, and have a fun day out in the Deco Noir VIP experience.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/TasteLondon
London, Regent’s Park
15th-19th June 2016
Regent’s Park will transform into a foodie wonderland for four days of summer eating, drinking and entertainment. Create your perfect taster menu from 40 of the city’s best restaurants as they serve their finest dishes for the ultimate alfresco feast. In addition, over 200 artisan producers and premium brands will provide a bounty of the best food and beverages from Britain and around the world. Attracting over 50,000, the event is the ultimate showcase for the capital’s food and drink scene.
Haro Wine Festival and Batalla del Vino
Rioja
28th-30th June 2016
If you haven’t heard of the Haro Wine Festival, you’re in for a treat. Every year locals and a few lucky tourists take part in a wine fight! The whole town congregates on the streets, from children to grandparents, and party the night away. The next day everyone heads up a nearby mountain for even more fun: water pistols filled with wine are distributed and buckets of wine are randomly poured over people! This festival is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Inycon a Menfi Wine Festival
Sicily
17th-19th June 2016
Enjoy exploring Sicily’s finest wines and sample some delicious local delicacies during this wine and food festival; plus, entertainment will be covered with the range of concerts and shows taking place.
Photo:http://anamericaninrome.com/wp/2013/06/strawberry-festival-in-nemi-italy/#
Strawberry Festival
5th June 2016
Nemi is quaint medieval town of the Castelli Romani, 20 Km south of Rome on a hill overlooking the small volcanic lake of Nemi. It is famous for its wild strawberries, small, sweet and with a distinctive flavour. Every year since 1922 Nemi hosts the Sagradella Fragola (strawberry festival) when women dressed in the typical rustic costume sell and offer the visitors the precious fruit served in many imaginative ways, with fresh cream or ice-cream, in pancakes, in milk-shakes and liqueurs and you can also buy a piece of jewelry in the form of a strawberry pendant hand-made by the local goldsmiths.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/AriadiFestaSanDaniele
Aria di Festa, San Daniele Ham Fair
Friuli Venezia Giulia
24th-27th June 2016
Four days full of tasting experiences, music, events and performances in San Daniele del Friuli, during which you can discover this magical place with its unique prosciutto and superb wines.