Reserve Wines

Reserve Wines was set up by Kate Goodman more than twenty years ago and it’s still going strong. Kate certainly knows her stuff, occasionally presenting BBC Food and Drink as the resident wine expert. But you don’t need a telly licence to see the knowledge in action, just hop on a tram to Burton Road.

This West Didsbury wine merchant may be small but it has a better range than many a wine warehouse. Shelves are stacked high with bottles of everything from good value organic Spanish reds to classic Beaujolais, from trendy Chilean whites from indie producers to sparkling Australian rosé.

It’s also a great place to come for a bottle of something special with knowledgeable staff to help you make a surefire selection. No need to worry about passing the sniffy sommelier test here, it’s totally welcoming without any wine snobbery.

You’ll also find fortified wines like port and sherry and some spirits too. There are regular events in store such as wine tastings and pairings with other local businesses like Chorlton Cheesemongers. They’ve even been known to run a barbecue to help the Malbec slip down.

You can pop in to the tasting room for a bit of peace and a glass – or a bottle – of wine, no booking required. Informal wine flight tasting sessions are also available on an ad hoc basis – just call in.

Private wine tastings and other business packages can be arranged for corporate clients.