After three sold-out editions, we've learnt a thing or two about how to get the most from a day at Manchester Wine Festival. Here's our insider guide.
Start with a good breakfast, then save room. Line your stomach before you arrive, but don't fill up, because the food on offer is seriously good. Make the festival your lunch (or your dinner, if you're joining us for the evening session): wine-themed pizza from Slice Culture, Lancashire cheese from The Crafty Cheese Man, and small plates from Erst, ranked number 37 in the UK at the National Restaurant Awards. That's one of the best restaurants in the country, right here on the festival floor.
Don't miss the oysters. Oyster Buoys source some of the best oysters in the country, and there's nothing better with a glass of fizz or a crisp white.
Taste your way around the world. This is the whole point, so try as many wines as you can. You'll find classics like Burgundy and Champagne alongside things you might never have tried before, like Chinese wine from Nainai, old-vine Pinotage from South Africa and English fizz that'll change your mind about English wine. Have a scroll through our exhibitors before you arrive, pick a few you can't miss, then leave room for surprises. Some of the best finds happen at the stand you almost walked past.
Pace yourself so you can keep going. Small pours, water between stands and the spittoons mean you can taste more and still enjoy every glass. The pros use all three without a second thought.
Grab a bargain. Lots of our exhibitors will be offering discounts on the day, so if you find a banger, it's the perfect time to take a few bottles home.
Enter the competitions. Keep an eye out on the stands and on our Instagram, @manchesterwinefestival, for competitions and prizes running throughout the day.
Ask questions. The people pouring are winemakers, importers and merchants who love talking about what's in the bottle. Ask what they'd eat with it, or what makes it special.
Book a masterclass. There are 16 across the day, from a Laurent-Perrier Champagne Masterclass to Discovering Chinese Wine with Nainai, and they're the best way to go deeper with a brand you love. Spaces are limited and they sell out fast, so get your ticket sorted and book early.