THE hangingditch Wine Fair is always one of the jolliest occasions in Manchester’s calendar. Sampling fine bottles in the Cathedral’s atmospheric confines is a harbinger of Christmas cheer.
Since capacity has been shorn to 250 this year (perhaps too much cheer in theast!) tickets are selling out fast for this Friday’s (November 20) event. They cost £35 but purchase a case of 12 bottles or more (mixed) on the evening and you redeem £25 off the price.
There will be more than 200 amazing wines to taste with the focus on family-run estates plus beer from local stars Cloudwater as well as transatlantic cult breweries Firestone Walker and (a TOM fave) Odell, with craft gin, whisky and cognac also represented.
The main deal, though, is wine with the focus on family-run vineyards, and according to Ditch boss Ben Stephenson. “it’s our best ever line-up”.
Wineries host their own tables – so look out for Ralph Hochar presenting his acclaimed Chateau Musar wines, amazing Piemonte wines from Giacosa and Gaja, English fizz from Nyetimber and much, much more.
There’ll also be an array of art works on sale in the spectacular Grade I listed building.
Friday, Nov 20, 6.30pm. Manchester Cathedral, Deansgate, M3 1SX; tickets £35, in person from hangingditch or ring 0161 832 8222.