What actually happens
A typical evening, minute by minute
Eight wines, a buffet, and a room full of people who aren't judging you. Here's exactly what to expect so there are no surprises — except the wine.
The running order
7:15 to 10:20
Every evening follows roughly the same shape. Roughly — wine has opinions about schedules.
- 7:15
Doors open — welcome glass in hand
You walk in, someone hands you something cold and interesting, and the evening begins. No registration desk, no name badge.
- 7:30
The host sets the scene
The host — usually a merchant, producer, or one of us — spends about ten minutes telling you what you're about to drink and why it matters. Short enough to be interesting, long enough to give you something to say.
- 7:40
Wines one to four
Four glasses arrive. The host walks through each one: where it's from, what to look for, any odd detail worth knowing. You score them, or you don't — your evening.
- 8:30
Buffet, and a proper natter
Food appears. You put your scorecard down and talk. This is the part most people remember — turns out the group knows a lot more than any individual does.
- 9:10
Wines five to eight
The second flight. Usually where the bigger bottles live — or the ones that needed food to make sense. The room is looser, the questions are better.
- 9:50
Scores, winner, and the buy-a-case moment
We tally the scores and crown a wine of the night. The host announces which wines can be ordered and at what price — no pressure, just useful if you found one you loved.
- 10:20
Home, knowing a bit more than when you arrived
That's it. No lingering obligation, no quiz, no leaving guilt. The tasting companion app keeps your scores and that wine name you've already forgotten.
Open nhws.co.uk/live on your phone and sign in — that's where you score wines and find that one you loved again later. If sign-in plays up, the host has a code for you.
Three things to know
The things people worry about
The society has been running these evenings since 1978, and these are the three concerns that almost stopped someone coming.
You don't need to spit.
Swirl if you like. Sniff if you like. Swallow, obviously, if you like. We're not training for a Masters of Wine — we're having a nice evening.
You don't need to know anything.
The average member joined knowing nothing and has been coming for years. The knowledge sneaks up on you between glasses. There's no catching up required.
You can come alone.
A significant number of our members turn up solo every month. Tell us when you book and we'll seat you somewhere good. By pudding you'll have someone to argue about the scores with.
Ready to pull up a chair?
Members pay £20 on the door. Guests are welcome — check what's coming up and bring someone curious.