What is it?

Run in association with Urbansocial.com, this is speed dating and wine-tasting combined. 6 men and 6 glasses of wine. Grapevine London run events in central London locations on Friday nights

How does it work?

Frankly I couldn't believe my luck when I was invited to combine my two favourite past times in one evening, but this event does it exactly that. When you arrive you a checked in and given a pen and some details on how the event works and a list of wines.

There's no score card or badge, so it feels less like dating and more like wine-tasting. Before the organised part starts, there's a chance to mingle at the bar and get a drink, although with six glasses on the way, I only spent £2 on a bottle of water!

As is the form, the girls take their seats at a numbered table and the chaps rotate, arriving at each new date with two glasses of wine. Dates last 15 minutes and change-overs are very relaxed (enough time in one instance to go to the loo!)

There's no break and dating carries on till about 10pm. There's no official matching process, although GrapeVine London will happily pass on emails to people you met after the event and most of the guys I talked to seemed quite confident about dishing out their phone numbers.

Who does it attract?

Quite a sophisticated bunch. Typically people who find speed dating to rushed or not exclusive enough. Most of the men I met were foreign business men and people who lived locally to the venue in Fulham.

What's different about it?

'Normal' speed dating will always feel strange after trying this. It's brilliant having a subject to get the conversation going or indeed something to go back to if you get stuck. This is also one of those rare dating events that doesn't feel staged or awkward.

What does it cost?

£30-£35 with all wine included

What makes it special?

I really loved the fact that the men arrived with a glass of wine for you at the beginning of each date. Of course that's part of the way it works, but it's jolly nice to be handed a drink by a tall dark stranger and it starts a conversation nicely. Surely being single shouldn't be this much fun!

What's the down side?

Obviously you can't even think about driving, so you may find you end up having to get a cab home, which can mean an expensive night. Also I had one bad date and found that 15 minutes can seem a long time!

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