SO, do you know your Rioja from your Riesling? Your Albarino from your Albarello? Even your Syrah from your Shiraz?

Most Brits apparently do, with the UK being a nation of self-proclaimed wine buffs, according to new research.

Apparently, a hard-to-believe 88 per cent of Brits now claim to be some sort of grapebooze aficionado on some level (unless that figure was a typo), with folk feeling the pressure to impress friends when buying a bottle of plonk for the dinner table.

They'll no doubt know therefore that our last example was a trick question: Syrah (as its known in France) is of course the same grape variety as Shiraz (as they call it down under).

You'd certainly hope they know, given the amount of money the average Brit spends on wine these days - up to £988 a year according to this research.

Gone, it seems, are the simple days of deciding red (for red meat) or white (for chicken/fish) and thereafter plumping for whichever label takes your fancy.

The new research by the Co-op shows 38 per cent of Brits reckon they do indeed know their Sangiovese from their Sagrantino, going so far as to declare themselves “extremely knowledgeable” about wine. (This column has never been so bold, of course.)

According to the study, the average Brit now spends £19 on wine every week (yep, that makes for nearly a grand a year) and is prepared to pay up to £11 on a decent bottle.

Seven out of ten people polled said they are now more interested in the subject than a decade ago and 41 per cent admitted they spent more on wine to take to a friend’s house in a bid to impress. The Co-op has also seen demand for fine wines surge in the last year.

Wine buyer for the retailer, Ben Cahill, said: “The survey has produced some really interesting insights into how we’ve become more interested in wine as a nation.

“Shoppers take more time to choose their wine purchases, with price not always being the top factor. Instead where the wine comes from, quality, grape varieties and label design are just as important.”

Apparently, our love of wine often starts on holiday (presumably not a wet weekend in Cleethorpes?), while others learn from friends and TV cooking shows, where wine pairings are often discussed.

Ben added: “Our love for good food has made wine pairing a crucial element of dinner party planning – especially if you want to impress, so it’s unsurprising Brits are embracing the concept of quality wines.”

Talking of quality wines (and staying under £11), for those who know their Tempranillo from their Tintilia, and indeed like it, there's a belting well-priced Rioja currently on discount offer at the Co-op, down £2 to £7.99 until Tuesday.

The Baron De Ley Rioja Reserva is a gold medal-winning wine with intense blended fruits and little notes of coconut, toffee and subtle spice on the nose.

Aged in new oak casks for 20 months and then bottled unfiltered for extra maturity, this is one of those deep cherry red Riojas with a powerful palate and long finish. As for cooking shows and pairings, have it with roast lamb. Yum.