Flawd, Manchester – a really nice natural wine bar and bottleshop
Website: Flawd
I was in Manchester to watch a game (Manchester City v Fulham, a last minute winner for City), and looking for somewhere to go in the evening I came across Flawd, a natural wine bar and bottle shop, in walking distance of the city centre in Keepers Quay. The canal-side location is really nice, and this is a modern but nicely kitted out bar with a good vibe and energy.
It’s a relatively informal walk-in place. The wine list consists of shelves and fridges with wines in, with two prices displayed: take out and drink in. Food comes in the form of shared plates – pretty authentic stuff made from seasonal ingredients, with a bit of imagination, too.
We had a very happy evening, beginning with a beer (Burning Sky Summer Saison) and two bottles of wine (more later). The wine list is all natural, and I’d say this was pretty hard core natty, with just natural wines. A really good selection, and well priced – pretty much everything comes in at under £50, with a sweet spot range of around £35-45.
The two wines were both lovely. Chardonnay Vom Kalk 2020 by Marcus Altenberger has some oxidative hints but comes alive on the palate with a lovely acid line and detail. And the Vin de France Ygueule from Bonnet Cotton is a super-elegant Gamay from Beaujolais, made in a semi-carbonic way with some of the red grapes direct pressed before fermentation, resulting in an ethereal, lightly coloured wine.
Bill for four was £160, including the wines. I’d go back again, for sure.