Wine: wine clubs

'Being part of an informal group of friends is the perfect way to extend your wine knowledge'
Wine: wine clubs
'A burgundy tasting would make a great evening.' Photograph: Alamy

Given the popularity of book clubs, there may be no room in your life for another regular commitment, but I reckon being part of an informal group of friends who want to learn about wine in an unintimidating environment is the perfect way to extend your wine knowledge.

Of course wine is generally served on book club nights but the focus is on the book, not the booze. The light juicy Giardini Veneto Merlot 2012, at only 9.5% a rare example of a decent low-alcohol red (£6.99 from Marks & Spencer or £41.94 for six online), should assist your concentration.

Wine: Noster nobilis

So how might a wine club work? Theming tastings by grape variety or a wine producing country or region is an obvious starting point. Syrah v shiraz is always interesting. Or how about Spanish reds other than rioja? Like Asda's mature, mellow Noster Nobilis Priorat 2009 (14.5%; on offer at £7.50 until Tuesday).

You could go for a particular style of wine. I imagine an evening on champagne wouldn't be unpopular, or one on port in the run-up to Christmas. Take advantage of Tesco's three-for-two offer on its Finest Sherry range (bringing it down to £4.30 a bottle) to hold a sherry tasting. Or why not try a food-focused one such as a wine and curry night? The crisp, limey 2011 Vidal White Series dry riesling (£9.99), which won a trophy in the recent What Food, What Wine competition, would be worth including.

Wine: Manzanilla

The logistics must be worked out to stop people bringing the same or similar bottles. It might be worth everyone pitching in a tenner at the end of the previous session and one person buying the wine. It would make sense to have a champion for the subject in hand who would do a bit of background research, or even read from a relevant book.

A burgundy tasting based on my predecessor John Arlott and Christopher Fielden's Burgundy: Vines And Wines (Davis-Poynter, 1976) would make a great evening. It has an unbeatable opening: "To understand the wine of Burgundy it is not enough to taste it, even at its best. You must know the terrain where the grapes are grown; which faces of its hills are tilted towards the sun; how the narrow vineyard strips of ancient inheritance lie across the slopes; how the soil feels when you rub it between your fingers."

It could be, as it was for Arlott, the beginning of a lifelong love affair.