Yelp Event: Escape The City @ Reserve Wines | Manchester, UK

A great evening of cheese and wine (although I wasn't fond of the broccoli smelling cheese :/).

Reserve Wines can be found on Burton Road in West Didsbury and offers a magnificent array of wines. Shelves full from floor to ceiling with wines (red & white) from around the globe, and the store offers an intimate showroom to customers.

After the initial meet and greet with Prosecco, which I was uncharacteristically late for, we got settled down for the tasting. It was a select group of Yelpers on this event due to the size of the venue. The shop is so cosy, we only had boxes of wine to sit on around the counter as Nick, the manager, presents the wines. One of the first things he said, that a wine tastin may not be agood idea if you have a cold, as the tasting comes mostly from the smell. This must be the reason why my taste perception was the opposite of everyone else's,

Nick presented a lot of information about the various wines and fully engaged with the Yelpers coaxing our opinions and responses, although everyone was a little subdued to begin with, but after the fifth wine, we were doing ok.

With each wine came full information about the type, origin, production, and the group was fully educated. In between the wines, we were presented with a sample of cheeses from goats cheese, cheddar and to a horrible broccoli smelling one. I wouldn't  recommend this one.

To the wines! We were offered the following:

Lopez de Haro Rioja Blanco 2014 (Rioja, Spain)

A complex taste of ripe fruits, and I thought it was a bit rich and smooth, but had a strong distinct smell, which was offputting,

Bodega Atamisque Serbal Viognier 2014 (Mendoza, Argentina)

This one offers more acidity and full of zesty fruits. 

Chateau Pinerale Cahos 2012 (Cahors, France)

This was my favourite from the evening. Red. Smooth. Woody. Full of dark fruits (berries, plum, and spices). You really get an impact from the tannins.

Espirito do Coa, Mencia (jaen) 2012 (Beira Interior, Portugal)

Quite bitter, full of dark fruits.

Le Riche 'Richesse' 2013 (Stellenbosch, South Africa)

Full of fruity flavour from the dark fruits, and subtle smokiness.

Overall, an enjoyable evening, and it is great to be educated so enthusiastically and informatively, and if I was hunting for a good wine, then I would stop by here.

Credit to Nick and his staff for hosting a great evening, and also to Matt, for once again organising a superb evening, but no more broccoli smelling cheeses please!