People who like to enjoy their wine hamper in a social setting may want to host their own wine tasting event.

Writing for Salon.com, Steven Kolpan recommended the get-together for those wishing to have fun while trying out different varieties of the beverage.

The expert noted wine-tasting is a serious practice but claimed there is no reasons why people who are not specialists in the subject should not be allowed to take part.

He observed: "The real fun of tasting wine is tasting for pleasure, not for punishment. And the best place to do this is at home, with friends, in a relaxed atmosphere."

Sampling the drink among friends will help create an atmosphere of generosity and conviviality, Mr Kolpan added.

In a recent article for the Independent, James Burton claimed 2010 has been a good year for English wine thanks to elongated spells of sunshine, especially in the south.