30 cheers for the Mercury Wine Week . . .

PREPARATIONS are steaming ahead for this year's 30th anniversary celebration of the Mercury Wine Week. The wines have arrived in Durban by the container load and been delivered to the venue at the Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World.

This year's event will reward the faithful with three exciting new awards for readers, visitors and the trade.

Each day in the week before the event, one lucky Mercury reader will scoop a case of wines from among the 150 exhibitors on show. More than 900 wines can be savoured in the marquee on the sundeck.

Each night from August 26 to 28 this year, show visitors will have the opportunity to have their names in lights. During tasting, they can vote for the daily Best Choice of Wine Award. Votes will be counted each evening and a name drawn from among people who have voted for the wine with the most recommendations will also receive a case of wine.

There is an outstanding incentive for the trade. The exhibitor who sells the most bottles during the Mercury Wine Week will secure an exclusive listing in the Suncoast restaurants for the full year ahead of the 2009 Mercury Wine Week.

Suncoast houses a variety of restaurants with cuisine from around the world. Diners can select from steakhouses, seafood, buffets and the niche dining experience.