Raise a glass to the best one yet!

O rganisers of the Bristol Wine and Food Fair are hoping that this year's event will be bigger and better than ever.

The annual Harbourside summer event attracts wine exhibitors from around the world and gourmet food producers from across the UK.

The three-day festival is set to take place between Friday, July 10 and Sunday, July 12, offering visitors the chance to sample, enjoy and discover more about fine wine and good food.

New features for 2009 include longer opening times with a dedicated business hospitality day session on the Friday, an additional wine marquee space and an extended wine and cheese tasting programme.

Some of the country's top wine experts will be leading the wine tasting lectures, including Susy Atkins, the Sunday Telegraph columnist, wine editor of Delicious magazine and a regular on BBC's Saturday Kitchen and Market Kitchen. She will be joined by Tim Aitkin, wine writer for the Observer; Fiona Beckett, an award-winning food and wine author, and local celebrity John Avery, one of the country's senior Masters of Wine.

In the wine pavilions visitors will be able to browse among more than 30 producers and exhibitors, tasting different wines from all over the world, which they can then buy by the glass, bottle or case.

New exhibitors signed up so far include Yalumba, Australia's oldest family winery; Yellow Tail another Australian wine success story; and, from South America, Finca Las Moras winery from Argentina and Wines of Chile. Wines from two of Bristol's twinning links will also be represented through Vini Portugal and Gaumarjos from Georgia.

Small independent wine growers such as Domaine Chater and Domaine Treloar and Chateau Guillotin will also be in attendance.

Brown Brothers and Cono Sur import Australian and Chilean wine from their own vineyards in their native countries, while smaller companies, such as Rare and Organic and Great Wines UK, source and bring in wines from Italy and South Africa. There will also be specialists such as Cordorniu from Spain – a long-standing wine producing family who have been producing fine cava for hundreds of years.

Closer to home there will be a UK vineyard section showcasing the best of English wine, including Strawberry Hill in Gloucestershire, Quoins Organic in Bradford-on-Avon, in addition to a number of well-established local wine merchants, such as Averys, Bristol Wine Company and Corks of Cotham.

Award-winning cheeses are on offer from Trethowan's Dairy Shop, Keens Cheddar, Tower Farm Cheesemakers, Worthy Farm Cheddar and new exhibitors, Smarts Gloucester Cheese, Denhay Farms and Daisy & Co cheesemakers.

Visitors will be able to meet these expert producers and find out more about how their cheese is made and best enjoyed.

At the food and drink market, sponsored again this year by The Gaymer Cider Company, exhibitors will be offered a selection of regional produce and speciality ingredients.

Visitors can choose from charcuterie, pates, pies and organic meats to preserves, chocolates, puddings and farmhouse ice creams, all ready to be enjoyed with locally brewed beers, ciders and fruit liqueurs.

The Chef's Theatre will be hosted once more by Barney Haughton from Bordeaux Quay.

Local chefs will include Michelin-starred Martin Blunos, fish expert Mitchell Tonks and Chris Wicks, chef and owner of Bells Diner.

New this year is a chance for young people to get inspired at cookery school sessions at Bordeaux Quay Restaurant, which are suitable for children aged from six to 16.

Alternatively, budding wine enthusiasts may like to join in one of the new Wine Forum Tastings, or opt for a 10-minute free wine tasting tutorial hosted by the West of England Wine & Spirit Association.

The 2009 ticket price will include a free Wine & Food Fair tasting glass and the full event programme.

In addition to single session tickets there will be a new weekend pass which will allow entry to all public sessions throughout the three days.

For ticket information visit www.bristolwineandfoodfair.co.uk