DINNER parties have never been more popular than they are now. Groups of friends have started creating their own versions of Come Dine with Me to prove who's the better host.
We all know, though, that it's not just how you cook your steak that racks up the points, but the wines you serve up to accompany the food. Yes, that Chardonnay you pour with your poultry is what will make your night stand out.
There are now so many ways to gain access to many types of wine to spruce up your dinner party and give it a touch of class, it's sure to put you at the top of the scoreboard.
We all know it's true that life in general can be hectic, and finding time to browse through the wines in your local supermarket can be almost impossible. Many of us opt for the best bargain, or the one you're familiar with; you've tried it oh so many times before and you trust it. Plus you need to get home and cook the dinner, take the bins out or visit your mum on the way home.
Impress your friends and family by advising them on new wines that you have been able to try out, simply by joining the many wine clubs that are appearing in the UK. From the comfort of your own home, in your own time, you can find wine clubs online and browse and test some spectacular new wines for your dinner parties.
You can encourage your friends to join them, compare what you find and give yourselves a new hobby. Your tastes will all be different and having more than one of you involved will widen your search; there are so many brands and grapes out there that it could take you a very long time to try them all!
Another positive about joining wine clubs and mail order wine suppliers in England is that you can learn a new skill. Learning the lingo will become second nature the more you order. You will also come to learn about the different types of wines and their country of origin. Slowly you could even become the next wine connoisseur.
For example, you will get a chance to learn all about Chardonnay and the ideal dishes to serve it with. Sample the crops of France and California and choose your favourite.
Explore the Shiraz grape, grown in South Australia and New South Wales; it requires warmth to ripen, so buying your Shiraz from the warmest place will be the best, but that's for you to discover and try out.
Or test out Riesling, known to many wine professionals as the 'king grape'. It is found scattered all over the world, from Germany and France to Australia and Canada. What recipes will this complement and will it make your next dinner party guests enjoy the aroma and flavour as much as you may do?
Maybe you'll fall head over heels for Sauvignon Blanc, all the way from New Zealand or Bordeaux. With its tropical fruit flavours you're sure to want to get to know more about this exciting grape and the wines that it produces.
Imagine the warmer climes that the wines originate from while sitting in our decidedly less exotic climate. Just the thought will warm you up inside.
There are no rules on ordering from these wine clubs. Order as and when you want and how much you want. Some have minimums but they are all affordable. Plus, if you don't want to keep trying lots of types of wine, you can simply click what you like and the experts at the other end will meet your needs and send them out to you.
It'll be one of the more relaxed memberships that you'll own. No contracts telling you that you have to order by a specific time, or that you need to order a certain amount per month. How you use it is up to you.
Whatever you go for, joining a wine club could be your special little treat, with prices favourable to all budgets. The sooner you get yourself up and running with this popular new hobby, the sooner you can be scoring perfect 10s at your next dinner party.
