YOU haven’t enjoyed the full Manchester Food and Drink Festival experience if you haven’t sipped your fill at the Big Indie Wine Fest, the 11th (expanded) incarnation of which is coming to Manchester Hall on Friday-Sunday, October 5-7.
We’ve now seen the full line-up and, true to type, it’s a stellar array of independent wine merchants with a reach across the globe. A world away from the range of wines you’ll find in your local supermarket and the merchants themselves are on hand to offer expert advice and guidance.
Meet Kate Goodman, BBC wine guru and owner of West Didsbury’s Reserve Wines, who will be hosting a masterclass on Saturday during the 2-5pm session at 3pm – one of many classes set to take place at each of sessions. These are included in the ticket price and can be booked on arrival on a first come, first served basis.
Refuelling will be provided by the in-house Mason’s Restaurant, who will be serving up small plates of homemade ham hock terrine, piccalilli, locally sourced charcuterie and cheeses, oat cakes, charcoal crackers, and dried fruits with walnuts and hazelnuts (each for a fiver).
Set in Manchester Hall’s grand, Grade II listed surrounds and with an extra session added for a three-day extravaganza, this is an exceptional opportunity to learn about, taste and buy wines. Here is the Fest line-up…
Commanderie The Commanderie de Bordeaux in Manchester is a group of some 70 plus wine lovers. Established for over 30 years, they have close links to Bordeaux winemakers. Dinners and wine tasting events are regularly held in the region and trips to Bordeaux to visit wine makers are organised on a biennial basis.
Carringtons Chorlton-based Carringtons was created when two brothers began selling a selection of directly sourced wines from a range of small growers alongside the classic, established producers. They still set the standard.
Inspiring Wines They are an independent online wine retailer, offering a handpicked, sensibly priced range.
The Veeno Company City centre based wine bar and retailer, Veeno, source all their wines direct from Caruso & Minini in Sicily, which is where their three generation family vineyard is situated.
Iberica Small boutique wineries, sourced from lesser known regions, are the pride of this upmarket Spanish restaurant chain with an outlet in Spinningfields.
Alpine Wines Champions of mountain wines, terroir-driven wines, and heroic winemaking in regions at the heart of Europe – Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Beaujolais and more. Nearly all their wines are unique to them.
Ukiyo Republic This UK based importer, distributor and promoter of Sake and Shochu offers an expert exploration of Japanese drinks culture. There are estimated 1600 Japanese sake breweries currently in existence. Get started.
Codorniu Based in Barcelona, the Codorniu family started making wine in 1551 and in 1872 became one of the first to Cava producers. Today the company has the largest vineyard holding in Spain and owns 9 wineries across Spain, Argentina and the US.
Off Piste Wines Fizzy wine in a can? Lightly sparkling Pinot Grigio to be exact, but yes! This is a company who want to make it super easy for you to enjoy your favourite fizz on the go. Move over Prosecco!
Cantine De Palma Traditional, family crafted Italian wine, from producers deeply rooted in the Southern Italian region of Campania, the region grows distinct and intriguing grapes (such as Aglianico, above), producing some of the highest quality wines in Italy.
3D Wines This wine club with a difference specialises in ‘rent-a-row’ gifts where customers can rent vines in famous regions such as Champagne, Sancerre, Châteauneuf-du-Pape and more. They host exclusive 3D Wine events with their winemakers and will be launching a wine subscription service shortly.
Sessions: Friday 5, 6pm-9m; Saturday 6, 2pm-5pm and 6pm-9pm; Sunday 7, 2pm-5pm. Tickets £15. Book them here.
Don’t miss the Festival’s other major wine event – Fiona Beckett: Six Wines That Shaped My Career at the Dining Dome