Humans have been drinking wine for thousands of years and the drink is deeply embedded in our culture. Whether it’s a glass of red with dinner, buying a bottle for a special gift, or drinking it for religious reasons, wine is everywhere and is an integral part of our communities and our cultures.
When we think of winemaking, we often picture the south of France, Italy, or even relatively new winemaking countries like Australia and New Zealand. We might not think of the UK, and we are even less likely to think of Manchester specifically. However, Manchester has a fascinating relationship with the drink and is quickly becoming one of the hottest wine locations. Let’s find out more.
The History of Wine in the UK
The Romans introduced grapevines and winemaking to the UK sometime around 43 AD. People in Britain at that time were more accustomed to drinking beers and meads and were initially wary of this exotic new Mediterranean product.
As Christianity spread across the country, wine became an important religious drink. Strong and efficient trade routes established with France and the rest of mainland Europe allowed wine to be imported with ease, and countless barrels of wine were offloaded at ports including Glasgow and Liverpool.
What About Manchester?
Initially a landlocked city, Manchester was opened up to sea trade by the construction of the Manchester Ship Canal in 1894. This allowed trade routes to flourish in the city and helped accelerate Manchester’s booming wine trade.
The UK is one of the world’s biggest wine consumers, with 13.9 million hectoliters approved for consumption in 2021, and as one of the country’s biggest cities, Manchester certainly has its fair share of wine drinkers.
What About Wine in Manchester Today?
Despite the popularity of wine in Manchester today, it’s difficult for the city to compete with the long-established wine capitals.
However, Manchester has been making a name for itself with a new modern type of wine, one that has been the subject of much debate and controversy: natural wine.
What is Natural Wine?
Natural wine is a rather broad term and there is no one set definition as to what natural wine is or should be. Essentially, natural wine is wine in its basest and purest form, without any of the extra ingredients or additives you might find in commercially produced wine.
Natural wine is the liquid from fermented grapes – that’s it. There’s absolutely nothing else to it, not even the subtle flavours imparted from storing in oak barrels.
Natural Wine in Manchester
Manchester is quickly making a name for itself as one of the top destinations for natural wine in the UK. There are several natural winemakers and a number of bars that specialise in the drink.
Many of these companies use the methods of making natural wine as their business ethos. They promote sustainability and are connected to the natural world, which are particularly important attributes as we face the climate crisis.
Conclusion
Manchester may not be the first place that comes to mind when we think of winemaking, but the city is becoming a true natural wine hotspot and is definitely worth checking out for any wine connoisseur.
