For The Best Wines In Town, Take Stock
 Enzo Mauro is a man committed to wine. So committed in fact that his personal quest for the perfect dinner companion has led to a recent nomination for Best Wine List in the forthcoming Manchester Food & Drink Festival. And with a selection that is resolutely Italian, Enzo has managed to uphold the restaurant’s position as the epicentre of Italian fine dining in the North West.
There are over 105 different wines available at Stock. An ‘85 bottle of the sublime Sassicaia Antinori will set you back a whopping £2,350. But whilst not all wines require a second mortgage to enjoy, Enzo argues that it’s important to respect quality. Many still go down the budget wine route, which is a mistake, according to the executive chef and founder of Stock restaurant. “For a good meal to work, you must have a good wine and it shouldn’t matter how much you pay,” he enthuses.
Supermarket friendly tipples are definitely out at Stock. According to Enzo, their cut-cost production methods devalue the end product, however this doesn’t mean that the enjoyment of good quality wine is a past time reserved for the viti-culturalist elite. One of Enzo’s favourites from the list is the Parlante 05 from Sicily. As the house white, it is fresh, affordable and full of sun with an elegant citrus aroma. Perfect for those celebratory moments!
Enzo’s passion for wine shines through, “Wine is alive and to understand it, you really need to invest time and energy. Our list is improved all the time and there is no limit. If I find something interesting, it goes on. I only use the best and I look hard for them.”
Enzo’s search for the perfect wine has taken him all over Italy and, inspired by his friends’ recommendations, he has explored all the different traditions and practices that go into producing choices worthy of his restaurant.
The list at Stock is very respectful of traditions in Italian dining, however as Enzo reflects, it is equally important to keep pace with changing tastes. Since last year alone, a quarter of all wines on the Stock list have changed. As a result the selection is organic in its development, reflecting current trends in wine. “At the moment Rose wines from southern Italy are becoming increasingly popular,” says Enzo. “Whilst Chardonnay has gone out of favour, Pinot has definitely taken over and wines such as the Pinot Grigio and Pinot Bianco are some of the most popular on our list.”
Stock encourages its clientele to be adventurous. “You have got to be confident with your choices”, says Enzo, “Or you will never know what suits you. However it’s important to understand that not everyone has the same tastes. Sometimes a customer may try a wine that they love but their dinner partner has a completely different palette.”
As Stock continues to break boundaries with its signature dishes from southern Italy prepared with fresh ingredients and bursting with flavour, it’s clear that the wine list is equally adventurous.
“It’s an honour to be nominated for such a prestigious award,” says Enzo, “Especially for something that we believe so passionately in. At Stock our wine list reflects a restaurant that is constantly moving with the times. We place the quality of our wines at the highest end of the spectrum and want to give our customers the opportunity to sample the best that Italy has to offer.”
For more information visit www.stockrestaurant.co.uk
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