A slice of alfresco-style Italy is coming to mid Norfolk this weekend as a family-run wine company hosts a tasting festival. Mallards Fine Wines, which is based in Mileham, near Dereham, is throwing open its gates and inviting everyone to taste wines and meet the producers.

A slice of alfresco-style Italy is coming to mid Norfolk this weekend as a family-run wine company hosts a tasting festival.

Mallards Fine Wines, which is based in Mileham, near Dereham, is throwing open its gates and inviting everyone to taste wines and meet the producers.

Joscelin and Jon Colborne, who run the business from home, are decorating the garden with bunting in the Italian colours, and putting out spittoons ­ - bowls for spitting out the wine.

There will also be live music and Italian food.

The festival is to mark the opening of two £¼m wine stores, which can hold around 3000 cases at the right temperature.

The company specialises in unusual or unique wines that are produced at small European vineyards.

The two-day wine tasting festival is free and open to the public tomorrow at Mallards in Mileham.