I know nothing about wine, except that I like it, give me the basics

A.� There are three types: red, white and sparkling. There are other types called blush and rose, but they are not taken as seriously by wine conoisseurs.

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Q.� What do you drink red with

A.� Red wine is considered appropriate with meat dishes and hearty pasta dishes, while white is mostly chosen to accompany fish and chicken. The real intention is to have lighter wine with lighter food and heartier wine with heartier food.

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Q.� Which countries produce wine

A.� Wine is produced in countries all over the world, but in the United States, Napa Valley, Sonoma and Oregon are the main wine producing areas. France has Burgundy, Bordeaux and Champagne, Italy has Tuscany, Asti and Piedmonte wine producing regions; Cava, sherry and Rioja hail from Spain, Chile produces some great reds and Australia has a strong reputation for its Shiraz.

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Q.� We're cooking lamb for friends. What can you recommend - that's not too expensive

A.� Lighter meats such a lamb go brilliantly with medium bodied reds�such as Merlot, Pinot Noir and Petite Syrahs. These also accompany tomato sauced pasta dishes too. Check out some deals in the supermarket - you'll probably�find a good bottle of Merlot for �5-�6.

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Q. What's the best thing for a celebration

A.� Champagne and other sparkling wines are superb for a get-together and also make great appetisers. Brut is the driest.

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Q.� If you're choosing more than one wine to go with dinner, how do you know which to start with first

A.� When serving more than one wine progress from lighter to heavier, drier to sweeter. This helps prevent one wine overpowering the taste of another.

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Q.� How do you store a good wine

A.� Store bottles at an angle to keep corks moist. The most common reason for wine to go bad is cork failure. A dry cork will crumble.

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By Katharine MacColl