For many of us over a certain age, our first foray into the world of wine probably consisted of Blue Nun and Black Tower, the sweet-tasting German Liebfraumilch that adorned many a dinner party table of our youth. As for Mateus Rose, the beautiful, empty bottle bathed in candle wax lit many a dreary bedsit.

Nowadays our tastes have expanded somewhat, as have our choices. However, choosing a wine we like is still hit and miss for a lot of people, which is why wine clubs are becoming all the rage.

In fact, recent research revealed that almost one-quarter of consumers feel “overwhelmed” when buying wine, relying on recommendations from wine shop staff.

Trying new wines
“Wine clubs are a great way to experience new wines and discover what we like and why we like it,” says Kevin Ecock, wine consultant and drinks columnist with www.greatfood.ie and Checkout Magazine.

“A wine club is basically like a members’ club and, if the members drive the agenda, then all the better. It’s quite different from wine school, which tends to be more institutional and aimed at those who already know quite a bit about wine.

Covering all aspects
“Ideally, a good wine club will cover all range of prices and they usually cover a different topic each month, such as particular wine regions or a certain grape. The members may invite a wine expert or producer to come and talk to them, or a member who has returned from a holiday may talk about their experience of the wines they tasted.”

Ecock, who runs a wine club in Rathgar in Dublin, says many of the wine stores now run their own wine clubs nationwide, while other clubs meet in restaurants and pubs for monthly tasting. Prices generally run from around €20 to €35 per month, depending on whether food is served, and between six and eight wines are tasted each evening.

Hosting your own
Online wine clubs are another option and specialist stores will deliver a case of 12 bottles with detailed information and a ‘theme’ each month, which is ideal for groups of friends or neighbours who want to host their own wine club at home.

Beginners guide
Beaujolais: A light, fruity red wine from the Beaujolais region in southern Burgundy
Bordeaux: A region of south-west France (often a blend of grapes including cabernet sauvignon, merlot and others)
Burgundy: A region in France (made from chardonnay and pinot noir grapes)
Cabernet sauvignon: often considered a high-quality, full-bodied red wine
Chablis: White wine from chardonnay grapes in the Chablis region of northern Burgundy, France
Chardonnay: The world’s most-produced white wine
Chianti: A dry, red wine from Tuscany, in northern Italy, made from sangiovese and other grapes
Côtes du Rhône: Red and white wines from the French Côtes-du-Rhône region made from a blend of varietals
Gewurztraminer: A white grape grown in Alsace, Germany; New York; and on the west coast of the US (sweet and fruity)
Merlot: A popular red grape (medium to full-bodied)
Pouilly-Fuisse: A white Burgundy made from chardonnay grapes
Riesling: A German white grape from the Rhine and Mosel regions (slightly sweet)