Some things never change at our West Didsbury Wine Bar and Shop.
Our Mystery Wine remains the menu favourite. Our wine flights still spark plenty of debate around the table. And our team still gets a ridiculous amount of satisfaction from introducing someone to a wine they'd never have picked for themselves.
But every season gives us a chance to shake things up a little.
This summer, we've refreshed both our wine list and food offering, bringing in some brilliant new wines, Mediterranean-inspired sharing plates, and a few sunshine-friendly additions that have already become staff favourites.
If you've not visited in a while, now's a very good time to come say hello and see what's new.
We're Still One of Didsbury's Most Interesting Places to Drink Wine
For anyone discovering us for the first time, Reserve Wines is a little different from your typical wine bar.
We're a wine shop and wine bar rolled into one. That means the wines available by the glass sit alongside hundreds more bottles on our shelves, with our team always happy to help you find something new to drink in or take home.
Some guests pop in for a quick glass after work. Others settle in for a cheese and wine experience, a seasonal flight, or an evening of working through our latest discoveries.
There isn't really a wrong way to do it.
Summer Wines Have Arrived
This season's wine list has taken a distinctly Mediterranean turn, with several exciting new additions joining the by-the-glass line-up.
Greek wine lovers are particularly well looked after this summer. We've introduced wines from Lyrarakis in Crete, including a bright, peachy Vidiano and a juicy, spice-laced Kotsifali that seems perfectly suited to warm evenings and long conversations.
For rosé season, we've upgraded our offering with the Selladore Provence Rosé. Pale, elegant and packed with fresh strawberry, citrus and white peach character, it's exactly the sort of wine that disappears alarmingly quickly on a sunny afternoon.
We've also added a mature Spanish white in the form of Finca La Cantera 'Pita' 2016, bringing layers of peach, almond and savoury complexity for anyone looking to explore something a little different.
Alongside these new arrivals, you'll still find everything from Loire Crémant and Champagne to orange wine from Alsace, South African whites, Italian reds and fine wines available by the glass.
A New Summer Dining Menu
The biggest change this season isn't actually in the glass, it's on the table.
Our new summer dining menu takes inspiration from the sort of relaxed food you'll find across Southern Europe: dishes designed for sharing, grazing and ordering alongside another glass.
The new artisan bread board has quickly become a standout, featuring breads from Half Dozen Other alongside extra virgin olive oil and Netherend Farm butter.
We've expanded our charcuterie offering with French saucisson, chorizo and carefully selected cured meats, while the new fish board celebrates the kind of conservas culture that's become hugely popular across Spain and Portugal.
There are vegetarian sharing options too, packed with marinated vegetables, pâté and pickles, plus a refreshed selection of cheeses sourced by Chorlton Cheesemongers.
We wanted food that could keep up with the wine list. Something worth making a detour for, not just something to nibble while deciding what to drink.
Wine Flights That Change With the Seasons
Our wine flights remain one of the best ways to explore the list.
Available as either three or six wines, they allow us to showcase different grapes, regions, styles and stories that might otherwise get overlooked.
The flights evolve throughout the year, reflecting both the season and what we're excited about drinking ourselves.
They're ideal whether you're completely new to wine or the sort of person who enjoys comparing the subtle differences between grape varieties from opposite sides of Europe.
No exams. No lectures. Just good wine and good conversation.
Cheese and Wine Pairings Are Still a Favourite
Some combinations simply don't need improving.
Our cheese and wine experiences continue to pair exceptional cheeses from our friends at Chorlton Cheesemongers with carefully selected wines from across the list.
Choose between three or five cheeses, add a wine flight, and you've got one of the most popular experiences we offer.
It's become a favourite for birthdays, date nights, catch-ups with friends and anyone looking for a relaxed introduction to wine tasting without leaving Didsbury.
We now offer gift vouchers for our Wine and Cheese Experiences. Available online or in store.
Spritz Season Has Officially Started
Summer wouldn't be complete without a few refreshing drinks beyond wine.
Alongside classic Aperol Spritz, we've expanded our spritz selection with options including elderflower, passionfruit, limoncello, Campari and Sarti Rosa.
For groups, we've also introduced made-to-order sangria carafes in a range of flavours that are ideal for sharing.
They're proving particularly popular on warmer evenings when one glass somehow turns into several.
The Mystery Wine That Keeps People Coming Back
If there's one thing our regulars ask for more than anything else, it's Mystery Wine.
Sometimes it's a hidden gem we've just opened. Sometimes it's a bottle that's never made it onto the main list. Sometimes it's something we've become slightly obsessed with and want everyone else to try.
No two weeks look quite the same, which is exactly why so many regulars order it before they've even opened the menu and honestly, we take that as a huge compliment.
Why Visit Reserve Wines Didsbury This Summer?
Because every visit is slightly different.
The wines change. The flights evolve. New bottles appear. Mystery Wines surprise people. Seasonal dishes come and go. It's the reason many of our guests return week after week.
You might arrive intending to have a quick glass and leave having discovered a Greek grape you've never heard of, a favourite new rosé, or a cheese and wine pairing you'll spend the next month talking about. That's exactly how we like it.
So whether you're joining us for a Mystery Wine recommendation, a summer flight, a cheese pairing experience or simply a glass of something cold and delicious, we'd love to see you.
Just don't be surprised if one glass turns into two.
Already visited? Let us know how it went!
If you are a regular or have visited us before, we'd love to hear your feedback. You can email us at hello@reservewines.co.uk or leave us a google review.
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