The Puritan Backroom
Manchester's Home Team Doesn't Overthink Wine
North End · Manchester · Steakhouse
Reviewed April 11, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The Puritan Backroom is a Manchester legend — chicken tenders, prime rib, generations of loyal regulars — and the wine list reads exactly like you'd expect from a place that has never needed wine to be its calling card. It's short, familiar, and built entirely around not making anyone feel uncomfortable.
Selection Deep Dive
Roughly 30 to 45 bottles covering California, New Zealand, Italy, Argentina, and a nod to France via Moët, this list is a greatest-hits collection of grocery-store recognizables. Kendall-Jackson and Simi anchor the Chardonnay section, Meiomi holds down the Pinot Noir slot, and High Note and Altos del Plata split the Malbec duties for the red-wine-curious. There's nothing remotely adventurous here — no single-vineyard surprises, no esoteric regions, no indie producers — but it's cohesive in its intent: keep it accessible, keep it moving. The ceiling is Moët at $65, which is actually the best-priced item on the list.
By the Glass
Twelve by-the-glass options at $7 to $12 a pour is a reasonable count for a casual steakhouse, and the range covers the obvious bases — a white, a rosé, a bubbly, a red for everyone at the table. Rotation appears nonexistent; this is a set-it-and-forget-it program that probably hasn't changed much since the previous administration. That said, $7 to $12 is honest pricing for the format.
Moet & Chandon Brut NV — $65
At 44% above retail, the Moët is the only bottle on this list with a markup that doesn't make you wince. Everywhere else they're doubling retail; here they're barely clearing it. Order the bubbles.
Pacific Rim Riesling
Nobody at a steakhouse orders Riesling, which is exactly why you should. It's the one wine on this list with some actual character — off-dry, high-acid, and genuinely good against scallops or a plate of onion rings. Most tables will walk right past it.
Beringer Moscato NV
At $24 for a bottle that retails around $10, this is the worst value on the list — a 140% markup on a wine that's already a tough sell. If you want something sweet, find another path.
Pacific Rim Riesling + Broiled Scallops
The off-dry fruit and bright acidity in the Pacific Rim cut through the butter and brine of the broiled scallops without competing with them. It's the most food-friendly bottle on the list and nobody's ordering it — which means your server will probably be delighted you did.
✔️ The Bottom Line
The Puritan Backroom is a great restaurant that treats wine as an afterthought, and that's fine — you're here for the chicken tenders and the prime rib anyway. Order the Moët if you're celebrating, the Riesling if you actually care, and don't spend too much time staring at the list.
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