A social wine, such as is made by most amateur winemakers, has no obvious counterpart among commercial wines. In England, at least, it is not customary to drink commercial wines other than before, during or after a meal. In Europe, however, wine is often used to 'rinse the throat' at any time of the day or evening. Amateur winemakers who have made their wine cheaply and have a good cellar are able to afford the apparent luxury of a bottle of wine between friends during the evening, served perhaps with only biscuits and cheese or savoury biscuits. The wine can be red or white, is somewhat stronger and richer than a table wine, but is by no means as strong and as rich as a dessert wine. Often it is a blended wine, but its texture, strength and sweetness vary enormously both from one winemaker to another and, indeed, in the wines made and served for this purpose by any individual winemaker.

With these thoughts in mind you will appreciate the wide range and variety of recipes that follow. All the flower wines have been included in this section because their more pronounced bouquet and favour, even when very well made, are best appreciated on their own rather than with food.