Prague Drinks Wine scheduled for May

Prague Drinks Wine will take place for the fifth consecutive year. One of the largest European wine festivals boasts authentic and natural wines. The festival, also called Praha pije víno, will take place at the New Town Hall at Karlovo náměstí on May 18 and 19.

Visitors will be able to sample around wines from over 60 wineries from the Czech Republic as well as Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy and France.

The accompanying festival program will focus on celebrating 100 years from the birth of Czechoslovakia.

The criteria for participating in the festival are very strict. “Wines produced in a sustainable fashion make up the majority of those presented at the festival. We do not insist on certification or the Bio (organic) seals. What's more important than certification is that we know the work of the wine producers, and we are aware of how important it is to them to have authentic wine, without any manipulation,” festival founder Bogdan Trojak of Prague's Veltlín Wine Bar said in a press release.

Each year, interest grows not only from visitors but also from wine producers.

“We are delighted that this year's festival will be visited by American Jeff Vejr who is of Czech descent and produces great wines in Oregon. In addition to this, his grandfather was a legionnaire and fought on the French front [in World War I]. His family history is full of rich stories. Visitors can also look forward to seeing Charles Dufour from France, whose champagne ends up in the majority of Michelin restaurants,” organizer Antonín Suchánek of the company Champagnier said.

The festival continues the tradition of Austro-Hungarian wine producer gatherings up until the early 20th century.

This year represents 100 years from the establishment of Czechoslovakia. In addition to wine, guests can enjoy a cultural and educational program focused on the end of Austro-Hungarian Empire. The program will also include lectures about what happened with the wine market in 1918 and the roots of independent Czechoslovak wine production.

The grounds of New Town Hall will also have a food corner. Riccardo Lucque and his La Collezione have already confirmed their participation.

The single-day and two-day tickets includes a glass as well as a limitless tasting of all wines presented at the festival.

For more information visit prahapijevino.cz or www.facebook.com/prahapijevino.