Get your mitts on our super-limited 2-4-1 tickets
FROM Bordeaux to Tokyo, there’s a definite global flavour to this weekend’s Big Indie Wine Fest, part of Manchester Food & Drink Festival. Back for an 11th year, three sessions will be welcoming wine-lovers to Manchester Hall on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 October, with a stellar line-up of wine world icons and ten top vintners and merchants.
The Big Indie Wine Fest was set up by the Manchester Food & Drink Festival to showcase and celebrate the fabulous independent wine sellers who bring something special to the world of wine retail in the North West, from extraordinary wines to the personal service and level of wine expertise and experience they provide.
At the Big Indie Wine Fest, attendees are each given a tasting glass to take on their journey round the fair as they explore the bounty of wonderful wines on the different stalls. The wine merchants are on hand to offer expert advice and guidance – and to sell guests a bottle or two to take home, should they wish!
Kate Goodman, BBC star, owner of Reserve Wines in Altrincham Market, Didsbury and Mackie Mayor, and all-round wine wonder woman
Set in Manchester Hall’s grand Grade II-listed surroundings, this is an exceptional opportunity to learn about, taste and buy wines against an iconic Mancunian backdrop, with refuelling provided by Manchester Hall’s own Masons Restaurant Bar, up locally sourced deli platters to compliment the tipples. Think homemade ham hock terrine, locally sourced charcuterie and cheeses, oat cakes, charcoal crackers, piccalilli, dried fruits and nuts.
Guests can expect a stunning breadth of wines from around the globe courtesy the following indie wine icons…
Alpine Wines
Alpine Wines are champions of mountain wines, terroir-driven wines, and heroic winemaking. Human powered, human scale, always distinctive, never interchangeable. Wines crafted by people, true to their landscape (that’s the ‘terroir’ part); wines made with pride and a lot of hard work (that’s the ‘heroic’ part); wines made in amazing regions at the heart of Europe: Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Beaujolais and more. Nearly all their wines are unique to them and sourced directly from amazing winemakers.
Cantine De Palma
Cantine De Palma serve traditional, family crafted Italian wine. Influenced by the ancient history that is deeply rooted in Campania, the region grows distinct and intriguing grapes, producing some of the highest quality wines in Italy. For the De Palma family, passion, determination and tenacity is the key to celebrating the pleasure of wine and creating an excellence designed to last.
https://www.cantinedepalma.co.uk/
Carringtons
Carringtons was established when two brothers began selling a selection of directly sourced wines from a range of small growers alongside the classic, established producers with an ambition to supply a diverse array of quality alcohols to the North West and beyond.In providing superior bottles at a reasonable price, sourcing innovative products and placing an emphasis on customer service and follow-up, Carringtons continues to supply quality products, engage with our customers and build on our history as wine, spirit and beer merchants.
Codorniu
Codorniu Raventos is one of the world’s oldest family-owned businesses. Based in Barcelona, the Codorniu family started making winein 1551 and in 1872 was one of the first to produce cava. Today the company has the largest vineyard holding in Spain and owns nine wineries across Spain, Argentina and the US.
http://www.codorniuraventos.com
The Commanderie de Bordeaux
The Commanderie de Bordeaux in Manchester is a group of some 70+ wine lovers. It has been established for over 30 years and has close links to Bordeaux winemakers. There are also similar Commanderies in Bristol, London and Edinburgh. 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.
Iberica
Iberica prides itself in sourcing wines from different regions with the aim or representing the rich diversity of Spanish wines. As part of this effort, they bring you wines from small boutique wineries that are not available anywhere else in the UK. They will be showcasing a selection of these exclusive wines.
Inspiring Wines
Inspiring Wines – gorgeous wines from around our planet. They are an independent online wine retailer with a passion for the pressed grape and a very simple aim, to offer great wine at a great price.Their wine list is handpicked, sensibly priced and consists of wines they absolutely love.
Off-Piste Wines
Fizzy wine in a can? Lightly sparkling Pinot Grigio to be exact, but yes! Off-Piste Wines are a company of wine-lovers and they want to make it super-easy for you to enjoy your favourite fizz on the go. Move over Prosecco, there’s a new kid in town. Everyone loves a bit of Pinot, that’s just a fact. That’s why Off-Piste Wines are the Pinot experts. They took your favourite tipple, gave it some fizz and put it in a can. You’re welcome!
UKiYO Republic
UKiYO Republicis UK-based importer, distributor and promoter of Japanese Sake and Shochu! Founded in 2017 by chef Franco Concli and Japanese Sake specialists Kasia Hitchcock as a creative platform exploring elements of both Japanese and European cultures through Japanese Sake, European food experiences and art. UKiYOin Japanese translates as 浮世(floating world) and describes the pleasure- seeking aspects of urban lifestyle. Republic derives from Latin (respublica) – the state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives. It also relates to equality of the ingredients, and respect for the producers and partners UKiYORepublic team is working with. There are an estimated 1,600 Japanese Sake breweries currently in existence, mostly producing for the domestic market. Yet in recent years soaring export proves that Sake takes its more permanent place on the European drinks menu.
The Veeno Company
City centre-based wine bar and retailer Veeno source all their wines direct from Caruso & Minini in Siciliy, which is where their family vineyard is situated. Three generations of tradition help to produce grapes that are perfect to make their award-winning wines.
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