Booked your first wine tasting in Manchester and not quite sure what you have signed up for? Relax. You do not need to know your Rioja from your Riesling, and there is no exam, no jargon and no pressure. You simply turn up, settle in and let one of our experts guide you through the glass. Here is exactly what to expect when you join a wine tasting Manchester loves, right in the heart of the city.
Every tasting takes place at Malmaison on Piccadilly, one of Manchester’s best-loved hotels, just a five-minute stroll from Piccadilly station. You will find us in Work and Play Room 3, so turn right past reception and follow the sound of corks popping.
The setting matters more than you might think. A warm, comfortable room puts everyone at ease, which is when the real fun of tasting begins. If you fancy turning the evening into something more, Malmaison offer our guests discounted room rates, so you can make a proper weekend of it.
Most evening tastings run from 7 pm to 9 pm, and we ask you to arrive for around 6.50 pm so we can get everyone seated and start on time. Afternoon sessions usually run from 2 pm to 4 pm.
When you sit down, your place is already set. You will find a row of tasting glasses, a few savoury nibbles to keep your palate fresh, and a pen and paper for any notes you want to jot down. There is nothing to set up and nothing to bring. As we like to say, bring yourself and a sense of fun and adventure, and we will bring the rest.
Getting to your tasting could not be much easier, because Malmaison sits right in the centre of Manchester. If you are travelling by train, you are about a five-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly, with the trams and buses at Piccadilly Gardens just around the corner.
Prefer to drive? There are several multi-storey and pay-and-display car parks within a short walk, around Piccadilly and the edge of the Northern Quarter, so you can leave the car and enjoy a glass without worrying about the journey home. If you would rather not rush off at all, ask us about Malmaison’s discounted overnight rates for guests.
Your host opens with a friendly welcome and a quick word on how to taste, so everyone starts on the same page. Then you work through a carefully chosen flight of wines, usually around six, often a mix of reds and whites from different corners of the wine world.
For each one, your host talks you through where it comes from, how it was made and what to look for, then leaves you to sip, swirl and chat with the people around you. Any wine words are explained as they crop up, so terms like tannin and acidity quickly start to make sense. If you would like a head start, our A to Z wine glossary breaks the language down in plain English.
Many of our tastings include a blind element too, which is always a highlight. Guessing what is in the glass is good fun, a little competitive, and a brilliant way to break the ice. Plenty of guests swap numbers with their tablemates and head off for drinks afterwards.
You will be in expert hands from the first pour. Our tastings are led by our team of WSET-certified educators, including founder John Callow and our much-loved host Jack, both known for making wine feel approachable rather than stuffy.
Because we are an independent drinks education school and not a shop, we do not sell any of the wines you taste. That means no sales pitch and no pressure to buy. You get honest, impartial answers to every question, however basic it might feel. It is part of why we have taught thousands of guests and earned consistent five-star reviews on Google, Tripadvisor and Facebook.
In a word, yes. Our tastings are open to every level, from complete beginners who have never looked past supermarket Pinot Grigio to keen enthusiasts who already know their Burgundy. No question is silly, and nobody will quiz you. The only thing you need is a willingness to enjoy yourself.
A classic wine tasting is just the start. If you would like to build a whole experience around it, take your pick from our Manchester tasting events.
You can pair six world wines with artisan cheeses on a cheese and wine evening, sit down to a wine-paired lunch or dinner, or branch out into whisky, rum, beer and sake. Celebrating something? Our private and corporate events bring the same experience to your team or your party, tailored around your brief.
For some, an evening of tasting is exactly the relaxed night out they were after. For others, it sparks something more. If you catch the bug, our accredited wine courses let you take it as far as you like.
Many guests start with the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines, a friendly one-day introduction, before moving up to the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines. Our essential guide to WSET courses goes deeper if you want the full picture, and our guide to why you should study a WSET course is a good next read.
A tasting also makes a lovely present. Rather than another bottle that sits on a shelf, you are giving someone a real experience to remember. Our gift vouchers are emailed straight away with your own personal message, and they let the recipient choose the date and experience that suits them.
Now you know what to expect from a wine tasting Manchester has to offer, the only thing left is to choose your date. Browse our upcoming Manchester wine tastings and book your seat, or get in touch if you have a question first. We would love to share a glass with you.
What should I wear to a wine tasting?
There is no dress code. Most guests come in smart casual, but the most important thing is that you feel comfortable and relaxed.
Do I need any experience?
Not at all. Our tastings are designed for every level, and your host explains everything as you go, so complete beginners are very welcome.
How many wines will I taste?
Most tastings include around six wines, often a mix of reds and whites, though this varies by event and theme.
Where exactly is the venue?
All tastings are held at Malmaison, 1 to 3 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 3AQ, just a five-minute walk from Piccadilly station. Look for Work and Play Room 3, to the right of reception.
How do I get there, and is there parking?
Malmaison is in central Manchester, about a five-minute walk from Piccadilly station and close to the Piccadilly Gardens tram and bus links. Several car parks sit within a short walk if you prefer to drive.
Will there be food?
You will have savoury nibbles to keep your palate fresh, and several of our events, such as cheese and wine evenings and paired lunches, are built around food.
Can I buy the wines I taste?
We do not sell wine, which keeps our advice completely impartial. Your host is happy to tell you where to find anything you have enjoyed.
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