Club together for a tasting courses

WINE: JOHN WILSONon how to set up your own wine club or sign up for a course

A LITTLE BIT OF knowledge can really help you to get more out of your wine purchases and possibly make a few friends along the way. Some of you may have already started a wine course in September; others may be waiting until after Christmas. You could sign up for one of the courses listed opposite. A professionally run course may be a more expensive option, but having a properly trained tutor (provided they have a sense of humour) can really pay dividends. You are more likely to get a thorough grounding as well as picking up plenty of tips on what and where to buy.

The other option is forming a wine club yourself. In my experience (I am a member of a beer club) it can be great fun, although a certain amount of discipline is required to prevent it developing into a series of massive sessions.

The idea is similar to a book club; one member is selected to choose and buy wines with a particular theme or from a single region. He or she can then do a little research on the subject, and present the wines to the club. There is a cost involved, but 10 people each paying €10-20 will get you six to 10 very nice wines, and possibly a few snacks to accompany them. You will get 10-15 "tastes" from a bottle of wine, depending on how generous you want to be.

As well as the educational bit, it is a great way to meet like-minded people and make a few friends along the way. Either way, the key to learning about wine is to taste a wide range at the same time, to work out the differences and why they occur. A little background information on how and why a wine tastes the way it does, (and why it costs so much) is also invaluable.

The Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is a UK-based wine education body, aimed primarily at the trade, but open to all who wish to learn. The Irish arm closed last year, but a number of educators here have been given WSET approval. Other lecturers have opted to stay out of the system, but that doesn't mean they don't know their stuff. I am familiar with almost all of those listed here, and would certainly recommend trying them out. If someone close to you wants to learn a little more about wine, a voucher for a course makes an excellent gift.

If you want to form your own wine club, the selection opposite is a starter pack for a DIY budget red wine class that will set you back less than €80. Don't worry if you cannot find all of the wines; go in and ask your local off-licence or wine shop to set you up with something similar. They will also be able to put together a white wine starter course, too.

WINES OF THE WEEK

Père & Fils Laurent Miquel Syrah/Grenache 2008, Vin de pays d'Oc, 14%, €8 per bottle

Recently launched by Dunnes, this is a delicious, ripe, rounded red from the Languedoc, with a touch of class. A fantastic value wine to stock up on for the coming season. Stockist:Dunnes Stores

Tesco Beaujolais-Villages 2009, €6.65

From the excellent 2009 vintage, an amazingly cheap Beaujolais - light and exuberantly fruity with a nice tangy finish. Stockist:Tesco

Jacob's Creek Shiraz 2007, Australia, 14%, around €9

Classic Aussie Shiraz with plenty of smooth, rich, chocolaty dark fruits and spice. Another one to bear in mind for the party season. Stockists:Widely available

Château Pey La Tour 2007, Bordeaux, 13%, €9.35

Light, soft, maturing Bordeaux with easy plum fruits, a touch of undergrowth and a very nicely rounded finish. Stockist:Tesco

- In addition, your red wine starter course could include the following:

Cono Sur Pinot Noir 2009, Chile, €9.39 in O'Briens, but widely available, including Dunnes Stores and independents; Rioja Sierra Cantabria 2007, €11.45 from O'Briens; Chianti Classico San Felice 2007, €14.45 from O'Briens; Norton Barrel Select Malbec 2009, €9.99 from O'Briens.