Michael and Caroline hosted a group date night at their home in Coulsdon, Surrey, inviting three other couples they had known for years. It was one of those evenings that always seem to land at their house, partly because they have the space and partly because they are usually the ones happy to organise it. All eight guests were in their mid-thirties, most with young children, so the plan was to keep it relaxed and avoid anything too heavy since everyone would be up early the next morning.
Caroline had asked for three reds and three whites, but nothing too bold or intense. She wanted wines that were easy to enjoy and would not leave anyone feeling wiped out the next day. LazeeGraze charcuterie boards were ordered to sit alongside the tasting, providing everyone with something to pick at throughout the evening.
We arrived early to set up the glassware and tasting mats on the dining table while the couples were still catching up in the kitchen. Once everyone had a first glass in hand, Jonny explained how the night would work and introduced the tasting activities. Because the couples already knew each other well, it did not take long for the competitive side to come out.
One particular challenge changed the tone of the evening. Jonny asked each couple to agree on a single answer for every wine, whether that was the grape, the country or a simple flavour profile. It sounded straightforward at first. It was not.
What nobody expected was how much the couples would disagree once they had to commit to one shared answer. Some pairs negotiated calmly. Others debated loudly across the table. Michael and Caroline, despite being the hosts, struggled to agree on almost anything and ended up near the bottom of the leaderboard. The other three couples made sure they heard about it for the rest of the night.
The wines themselves did exactly what they were meant to do. The whites were fresh and balanced, and the reds had enough character without feeling too heavy. The Malbec stood out in the second half of the evening and quietly became the favourite around the table.
By the time the final scores were read out, the room was loud with laughter, and everyone was already talking about doing it again. A week later, Michael ordered two cases of the Malbec they had tasted, and Caroline was messaging the other couples about finding another date before Christmas.
For a group date night in Coulsdon, Surrey, the format worked because it gave the evening a structure without taking over. Six wines, shared boards, a bit of healthy competition and plenty of time to talk properly. It felt like a night out, but without leaving the house.
Find out more about hosting your own wine tasting in Coulsdon.
