Frequently Asked Questions
Got a question about the Show? Check for your answer here first - or please get in touch.
Q. When's the best time to visit the Show?
A. Anytime is a good time to visit the Show - but what makes for a great occasion is making your visit part of a day out, to include lunch or dinner as well with one of our preferred restaurant partners.
Q. Will I feel at home if I'm on my own - or with a group of friends?
A. Both! The Show can be great fun on your own: there are lots of friendly exhibitors who'll make you very welcome as they share their know-how with you. You'll find it equally good fun sharing the experience with friends and family members. And if you book in advance, you benefit from a buy one get one half price ticket offer - so a friend can come half price!
Q. Do I have to be a wine expert?
A. Not at all! The Wine Show is for anyone who wants to learn more about wine. Have fun and take part in a fantastic Show diary of special feature events. Beginner or connoisseur: there's something for everyone.
Q. If I buy wine at the Show, is home delivery possible?
A. Yes! Our special home delivery service - "Spend and Send" - is here to make stocking up on wine a real breeze! We're working with our exhibitors and with the specialist wine delivery company, Sensible Wine Services, to make it all fast and simple. Simply look out for the "Spend and Send" sign on the exhibitors' stands to see who's participating in this service.
Alternatively, you can shop your way around The Wine Show and pay just £8.00 (per case of 12 bottles of wine) for delivery to your doorstep within a week. It's as easy as that! Just look out for the "Spend and Send" payment point at the top of the stairs on The Wine Gallery for your home delivery option.
Q. What is the show's stance on responsible drinking?
A. The Wine Show promotes responsible drinking at all times. All visitors are to adhere to the Responsible Drinking Policy, and the organisers reserve the right to ask any visitor to leave if they are over-intoxicated. For more information on the subject, please click here.
Q. What's a 'Wine Walk'?
A. A Wine Walk is your opportunity to join one of our team of experts - who include Oz Clarke, Matt Skinner and many more - as they guide you personally around the Show. They'll help you discover wines from different grape varieties and regions as you take the opportunity to sample, savour and stock up in a fun and relaxed environment. To meet the experts, please click here. Places are limited on the Walks and so pre-booking is essential. To avoid missing out, why not book your place on a Walk when you buy your tickets?
Q. How do I reserve a Wine Walk place beforehand?
A. Due to popular demand in past years, we'll be offering you the chance to book your place on the Wine Walks in advance online. In order to experience an intimate journey through the world of wine with one of our fantastic experts, please visit www.wineshow.co.uk and follow the link to make a reservation right now!
Q. What areas do the Show's wines come from?
A. We try and reflect the wine market as a whole and so we have wines originating from everywhere in the world. From the larger, high-profile producers such as Wines of Argentina and Wine Australia to smaller, less well-known producers from Slovenia and India: we aim to take you on a whistle-stop tour of the complete world of wine!
Q. Is food available at the Show?
A. There are plenty of options to soak up all of the wines you'll be tasting at The Wine Show! The restaurant will be providing a delicious selection of hot and cold meals as well as sandwiches, soups and cakes. If you can't bear to tear yourself away from the Show floor, then why not visit the cheese and bread counter: the perfect accompaniment to wine?
Q. Will I get a chance to meet Oz Clarke and the other celebrity wine experts?*
A. Our wine experts are at the Show to meet as many visitors as possible and share their knowledge and pass on their enthusiasm for wine. While you may spot them around the Show, if you want to guarantee meeting them, book a place on a Wine Walk, visit the Tasting Theatre or come and watch them being put on the spot in our special "World Wine Race 2008" feature.
Q. We're making the Show part of a day out. What else can we do in this part of London?
A. Our venue - the Business Design Centre in Islington - is only minutes away from some leading London attractions. You can avoid the hectic activity of Oxford Street by exploring the wonderful shopping opportunities of Islington's Upper Street and adjoining streets instead, particularly the antique shops in and around Camden Passage. On Saturday enjoy a traditional street market - Chapel Market. On Sunday why not make an early detour to the famous Columbia Road Flower Market or to Spitalfields before arriving at the Show for a well-deserved glass or two? In the evenings, make the most of the top London restaurants and bars right on the doorstep, including The Living Room, Fredericks and Cantina.
Q. What's the best way to get to the Show if I'm coming from outside London?
A. The Business Design Centre is just 5 minutes' on foot from Angel Tube on the Northern Line. Highbury & Islington station is a 10-minute walk away: it's a mainline station as well as being on the Victoria Line. King's Cross, St. Pancras and Euston mainline stations are all a short bus ride away. All these routes pass the door: 4, 19, 30, 38, 43, 56, 73, 341, 394, N19, N38 and N4. For route planners and timetables, please go to www.tfl.gov.uk
If you're driving in, there's an on-site car park. For your best route from anywhere in the UK, please go to: www.aaroadwatch.ie/routes
Q. How many exhibitors are at the Show?
A. We'll have around 130 exhibitors at this year's Show, offering you plenty to see and a huge choice of wines under one roof.
Q. Is there parking available?
A. Yes. The Business Design Centre has an on-site car park with 285 spaces. Charges are £6.00 per hour for the first 2 hours and £3.00 per hour after that. There's also additional car parking in the nearby shopping centre's multi-storey car park.
Q. Is there disabled access?
A. The Business Design Centre has worked closely with disabled action groups and the local authority to ensure that this listed building is as user-friendly as it can possibly be to those with disabilities. There are toilets for the disabled on each level, which can be reached by the lift at the front of the building. The approach to the building is ramped for wheelchair use. Adjacent to the building is an underground car park with ample reserved spaces for drivers with disabled passes. There's a lift from the car park to ground floor level. (Please note that car parking is not free.) If you suffer from a serious disability and need advice or help, please contact The Wine Show Team with any special requests before you visit.