Grado launches wine club

Grado will launch a new monthly wine club at their restaurant in Piccadilly on Thursday 16 July. Open to everyone, a trained sommelier will show diners how to open, pour and taste wine like a professional.

“Our wine lists often go out on a limb, offering wines with unusual grape varieties and names people might not have heard of.”

Paul Heathcote, owner of the restaurant group, said: “People are increasingly aware of the wine choices they make so I wanted to create a club for people who share an interest in good food and good wine. We’ve designed a programme of events so people can increase their knowledge, enjoy some fantastic cooking and have a great time.”

Grado, on New York Street, took home the Best Wine List accolade at last year’s Manchester Food and Drink Awards. 13 wines from Heathcotes wine lists were honoured at this year’s Sommelier Wine Awards, with six making it to the gold list. Gary Scott, wine buyer for Heathcotes restaurants, said: “Our wine lists often go out on a limb, offering wines with unusual grape varieties and names people might not have heard of.”

Varieties honoured include Fernando de Castilla Antique Oloroso NV, which is available at Grado, Tabali Reserva Especial Chardonnay 2007 and Chianti Riserva Il Grigio 2005.

The Grado Wine Club will run alongside paid-for meals and each month will cover a different topic, including the origins of particular varieties and choosing the best bottle, while also dispelling some of the common myths about wine. Though the club will meet on a monthly basis, you don't have to make a commitment to attend each time – just book into the first meeting then decide whether you want to go to the next one to learn more.

Grado serves an eclectic mix of regional and new wave Spanish tapas, hams, paellas, spit roast meat, grilled fish and clay baked flatbreads.

To find out more and book into the wine club on 16 July, please call 0161 238 9790 and quote 'Manchester Confidential'.