A new independent wine bar has opened in Spinningfields selling Manchester-made charcuterie and cheese boards, alongside a selection of carefully-chosen wines.
Called Provence, it has just opened in the business district next to the David Wyman florist – offering commuters, bar hoppers and shoppers alike somewhere new to post up for a wine (or a coffee).
With a menu of nibbles like olive tapenade, bread and oil, olives, hummus and a handful of veggie small plates, at first glance its wine list is short and no-nonsense – a succinct selection of twelve different choices, broken down into red, white, rose, orange and sparkling.
Image: The Manc Eats
The wine glass in the bottom right hand corner is actually a hidden QR code. / Image: The Manc Eats
There’s also a handful of beers from Northern Monk Brewing Co. and a short cocktail list, plus craft sodas and kombucha for those off the sauce.
But the thing that really caught our eye is the hidden QR code shaped like a bottle of wine at the bottom of the menu, that, when you scan it, pulls up a ‘by the bottle’ list – revealing a mouthwatering selection of natural wines, handpicked by in-house expert James, formerly of Kerb in Ancoats.
Think a funky, tangy orange wine from Austria, orangey, citrusy blended roses, an Oregon-made Reisling and a gorgeous sparkling red Pet Nat.
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
The majority of the natural wines are available as bottle-nly, however, there is also one on the by the glass list – a tropical ‘fruit bomb’ orange wine from Italy, the Fratelli Felix, which we sample alongside a citrusy Pinot Grigio.
Sitting at the other end of the scale, the Pinot is refreshing, with notes of jasmine and white flowers – simply perfect for those after something a little more classic.
As for the food offering, Provence offers a selection of charcuterie made right here in Manchester by Northern Cure.
We opt for this alongside the cheese board, digging into a mixture of lomo (cured pork tenderloin), pork and beef heart salami, and a classic salami, all thinly sliced, the lomo itself almost melting in the mouth
This brand new addition also features a downstairs wine-e-oke and tasting room, which we’re sure will see a lot of action come Christmas time as parties start to pile in.
A big Taylor Swift listening party is coming to Manchester to celebrate her new album
Thomas Melia
An iconic Manchester music venue is hosting a Taylor Swift listening party to celebrate the release of her upcoming album this autumn.
The devil may work hard, but Ms. Swift sure works harder – as less than 500 days since the release of her eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, Taylor has announced her twelfth LP titled The Life of a Showgirl, meaning the pop titan is back in full force with an era full of glitter, glitz, and showbiz glamour.
To celebrate, Manchester’s historic Deaf Institute is hosting a night dedicated to the newest era, and you’ll certainly be able to make ‘make the whole place shimmer’ as you walk into this Grade ll-listed building this October.
Get ready to hear everything from Taylor Swift’s stacked discography – including her humble beginnings like ‘Tim McGraw’, all the way through to her claiming the title as the ultimate ‘Anti-Hero’.
The DJs on the night will be spinning every single new track from Swift’s twelfth studio album too, all while mixing in some of her other standout songs.
Anyone keen to attend this Taylor Swift ‘Wonderland’ must be over 18 years old, and have their ID with them on the night, as unfortunately, there’s no ‘invisible string’ you can use to sneak yourself into this venue.
And if you’re turning 22 -or celebrating any other birthday – between 4 and 18 October, then you can score yourself free entry into this live music venue too, isn’t that ‘Gorgeous’?
Festa Italiana returns to Manchester city centre for three days of feasting this bank holiday weekend
Emily Sergeant
Festa Italiana is set to return to Manchester city centre this bank holiday weekend with its ‘biggest and best’ offering to date.
Are you ready for three days of Italian feasting?
Festa Italiana, which is now in its eighth year in Manchester, has gone of to become one of the biggest – and the most successful – Italian festivals in the UK, and features dozens food and drink stalls, live entertainment, and a whole host of celebrity chefs.
Founded by Maurizio Cecco – who is also behind Manchester’s legendary collection Italian restaurants, Salvi’s, the family-friendly festival will be free for all to attend.
Taking place this year, as it does every year, over the August bank holiday weekend and turning Cathedral Gardens into an Italian paradise while the sun beams down, anyone heading to Festa Italiana can expect a three-day foodie feast featuring freshly-made pizza, pasta, cannoli, and loads of other Italian delights.
Festa Italiana returns to Manchester city centre for three days of feasting this bank holiday weekend / Credit: Festa Italiana (via Facebook)
Festivalgoers can also expect to take part in pasta-making workshops, sip a tipple from an Aperitivo bar or the Limoncello Garden, and try endless free samples.
There’ll also be the Piccolo Mercato Italiano mini market, featuring a range of independent and artisanal producers showcasing the very best of Italy’s food, drink, and crafts.
To top it all off, plenty of well-known chefs will also be making special appearances during the festival, including Great British Bake Off star Giuseppe Dell’Anno, chef Francesco Mattana, Carmela’s Kitchen author and tutor Carmela Hayes, and of course, founder Maurizio Cecco himself.
“Festa Italiana is so much more than just a food festival,” Maurizio explained. “It’s a celebration of everything I love about my culture – the passion, the hospitality, the flavour, the music, the chaos.
“Every year it gets bigger, louder, and more exciting and 2025 is going to be the best one yet.
“We’ve got amazing chefs, incredible vendors, fantastic music and some brilliant new surprises. I can’t wait to welcome everyone back to our piazza in the heart of Manchester.”
Georgina Pellant -
27th October 2022 
