The Association of Small Direct Wine Merchants

We source and sell a range of great wine that's interesting, individual and affordable. We sell wines of character and quality by the case to individuals and businesses and are confident your first order won't be your last! Ordering is simple by email or phone and payment can be made by cheque or credit card.

H C Wines is Andy Clarke and John Hattam, two wine enthusiasts. Both have a long standing interest in wine, and both hold the advanced certificate from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. We aim to source wines of character and quality, which we feel represent outstanding value for money.

We hold occasional tastings as a showcase for our wines, and are also happy to supply both individuals and the catering trade at competitive prices. We enjoy hosting events & tastings in a number of different formats to suit a variety of corporate clients. Wine tasting can be a great icebreaker or team building event. H C Wines can help with that next occasion when you're wondering what to do.

Tutored tastings

Taste six to eight contrasting wines. Introduction to tasting, what to look for and what the wine's colour, aromas and taste can tell you. Learn something about the wine, the grapes, where and how it's made. Some basic info on wine and food matching, and perhaps a chance to dispel some wine myths (is white wine always made from white grapes..?)

"What's it worth?"

Are some wines worth the high price they ask? A chance to make your own mind up! Taste a selection of mystery wines and decide for yourself how much they're worth - then bid for them in a mock auction against other teams!

"Supermarket slurp"

Some basic info is provided and the teams then compete - with the help of an occasional clue! - to identify quality and characteristics of some pairs of bottles tasted blind. Champagne prizes for the winning team, and a list of the various wines tasted is provided along with prices to enable participants to source and buy their favourites.

Competitive blind tastings

These don't require an encyclopaedic knowledge of wine. The format is a brief introduction, then a multiple choice format, with the occasional clue thrown in.

Team building

All the necessary clues to identify the wine are provided - but only to individual team members. Team members therefore have to share the information to win.but beware the red herrings!