I HAVE never had a problem with estate agents. Not that is until this week, when I had invited one in to have a look at the house.

I couldn't really tell whether the room dimensions and décor where up to scratch but I had noticed the approving glance at the reasonably well-stocked wine racks.

Just as we were getting down to business I asked if she would like a cup of tea or coffee.

"No, thank you. I'd love a glass of wine though, seeing as you're an expert."

I was truly taken aback; I had only just met this person and it wasn't as though I was inviting her round for a social chit-chat. Still, this initial irritation was hastily replaced with an altogether more alarming realisation: I had absolutely nothing on my wine rack that I wanted to share - certainly not with someone I'd only met 30 minutes before. It wasn't that I wanted to find some sort of cheapie' to palm off; it was just that the only bottles remaining were those that I'd been saving for one reason or another.

I was faced with a line-up of single bottles whose brightly coloured foil tops are a cheering sight on my daily comings and goings. I was further thwarted by the fact that I had no whites chilling in the fridge; reducing my options even further. I begrudgingly uncorked a lovely Italian red and watched it vanish like quicksand with barely a second of appreciation. What a loss.

These sorts of dilemmas are not uncommon though. What sort of wine do you take round to friends for dinner? That's easy; they're your friends so you take a bottle of something nice and that you think they'll enjoy. Never, ever assume that your hosts are going to open up whatever you decide to take. If you're secretly hoping that they will share it with you - take something else.

From time to time - and only with good friends who won't think it too pompous - I might ask whether they would like me to bring along a wine that might work well with a particular dish they are making. On the assumption that it's going to be drunk I'll make sure that whatever I take is good and ready to go.

Then, of course, there is the challenge about what to do with the bottles that are brought to you. I tend not to open what's been brought to me - most often because I've generally decided on what it is that I want to drink beforehand.

Still, a good party often sees the wine reserves going faster than Lewis Hamilton on a lap at Silverstone and this is generally the point at which I would ask if my guests would mind if we opened up what they had brought along.

Bear in mind though that when the pudding plates having been cleared, the last crumb of cheese has been demolished and the host offers you a cup of tea or coffee, it's not generally the time to ask for another bottle of wine to be opened. The one question I am asked more than any another is this; what's your favourite wine? The truth is I don't have one. It depends on the occasion, the meal, the place and who I'm with at the time.

A relatively standard wine can be made great when shared with good friends and tasty food, while a so-called fine wine can be ruined by poor company. Wine is to be shared and enjoyed and most definitely not sought out by greedy trophy hunters. That will always leave a bitter taste in the mouth.

Still, if the estate agent is coming round, you might want to equip yourself appropriately. Always have a sensible stash of good, everyday drinking wines that you can give up without a thought and keep your vinous treasures neatly stashed away!

Click here for details of this week's offer of a mixed case from southern France.