(Pálavské vinobraní 2009)

(Prague, July 2009) Wine from the Czech Republic is getting better and better. Evidence of that can be seen not only in successes at international competitions, but especially in those wines' growing popularity among consumers. The largest wine-growing area is South Moravia. It is almost as if this region of vineyards, sunshine and tourist attractions was created specifically for its being discovered by hikers and bikers. If you will come here in autumn, you will have opportunity to visit a wine harvest festival and to discover the very best from the region's cultural, folklore and culinary traditions.

The two towns most famous for wine, Znojmo and Mikulov, will this year celebrate together for the first time in their histories. For wine lovers, this unquestionably represents an excellent opportunity over the course of a single weekend - from 11 to 13 September 2009 - to visit for a single special admission charge at once two events less than an hour's distance from one another.

In Znojmo, the local people are once again preparing a big night-time and afternoon programme that includes a historical parade, tournament of knights and old-time market. Adding to the period atmosphere will be the fact that the full cast, including sellers and craftsmen, will be entirely decked out in historical costume. On the stage, there will appear stars of the modern Czech pop music scene, as well as regional groups. Last year, the largest wine festival in the Czech Republic attracted 80,000 people.

There will be tasting of wine and "burčák" (partially fermented fresh grape juice) through the three days also in Mikulov. This scenic South Moravian town that lies just across the Austrian border invites its visitors to a bountiful programme of music and folklore. The celebration will mainly be at the main square and amphitheatre, while Mikulov's castle and park will be the site of the crafts market. Local restaurants will prepare culinary specialities, as will more than 100 food stands on the square.

The royal city of Uherské Hradiště will open its gates to folklore, local tradition, wine and historical monuments on the weekend of 12 and 13 September 2009. The Slovácko region's celebration of wine and its open historical monuments will once again present the cultural, winemaking and culinary heritage of this eastern Moravian region. This year's celebration will be, among other things, dedicated to the beauty and variety of the regional folk costumes. For the first time this year, the parade will present at least one representative folk costumed pair from each microregion, town and city in Slovácko. And there will be plenty to see, as last year the city was adorned by more than 4,000 people in folk costumes! In addition to wine-tastings, a cultural programme awaits you not only in the historical tourist sites that will be open but also from a flotilla of musician-filled boats along the Baťa Canal.

Directly at the most visited castle in Bohemia, Karlštejn, a mere 35 km distant from Prague, the much-loved Karlštejn wine festival will be held on 26 September and 27 September 2009. Through both days, you will have opportunity to taste the local wine, the production of which was begun here by the Holy Roman Emperor and Bohemian King Charles IV (died 1378). By the way, his majesty will be personally participating in the celebration along with his entire retinue. In his honour, musical compositions from the Middle Ages will be heard, there will be appearances by magicians, jugglers, dancers and performers of exotic feats, and in the evening below the castle all will be lit up by a parade of torches.

A three-day celebration of wine filled with music and fascinating attractions will be held in Mělník during 18-20 September 2009. Emperor Charles IV will be paying a visit, and those in attendance will be able to admire the colourful magnificence of his entourage. There will be abundant opportunity during the wine festival to taste the wine from the Mělník region, one of which will be a tasting in the historic wine cellars from the 14th century, which are open year-round at Mělník's castle

An invitation to additional wine celebrations:

• Strážnice wine festival
• Troja wine festival in Prague's Botanic Garden
• Bzenec folk-costumed wine festival
• St. Wenceslas wine festival in Kadaň
• Wine festival in Litoměřice
• Wine festival in Velké Pavlovice
• Valtice wine festival
• Wine festival at Loket Castle