Tasting times

The UK’s love affair with wine shows no signs of abating. So it’s no surprise to find there has been a boom in wine-tastings. While blind wine tasting competitions have been a staple dinner party game for years, thanks to a new service, you can now impress your friends by having an expert host a tasting at your home.

Taste-in has lined up an array of top-notch wine buffs including Oz Clarke, young Aussie Matt Skinner and writer Michael Broadbent. All wines, glasses and paraphernalia are provided, with the “Classic” package starting at £1,200 for 12 people. The “Fine and Rare” package allows you to select specialst wines. All you provide is your palette.