Wine expert Rob Parker dismisses all our stuffy misconceptions about wine and shows us how to enjoy drinking again

1. Screw-top wines are a faux pas
Far from it. Screw caps are now being adopted by some of the most cutting edge wineries in the world, and for good reason: on average, ten per cent of traditionally sealed wines are 'corked'. Cork taint can completely alter the taste, stripping it of its freshness, and the wine can end up smelling like damp cardboard. Screw caps avoid this problem because they are more effective at keeping the oxygen out of the bottle. They also have the advantage of being easy to open, which is great at parties or picnics. That brings us to the two main benefits - we can forget the inevitable search for the elusive corkscrew every time we fancy a drink and we don't have to drink the whole bottle, because it's so easy to reseal.

2. It's tacky to have wine-in-a-box
Although boxed wines don't have a great reputation, they can be extremely practical. They work well at parties, or for people who don't necessarily want to drink a whole bottle of wine in a night. Once opened, the bag inside the box keeps wine fresh for up to six weeks, so there's nothing wasted, making it an easy way to help yourself to a glass of your favourite wine every day. Wine makers are now catching on to the idea - Lindemans, for example, is about to release the first premium wine in a box.

3. Chardonnay is sooo naff
Alanis Morissette sang about it, Bridget Jones sank a good few bottles of it and one of the main characters in the TV series Footballers' Wives was even named after it - Chardonnay has clearly suffered from over-exposure, causing a lot of unfair criticism.
The grape is responsible for some of the greatest white wines in the world. For example, Montrachet, a vineyard in Burgundy, produces wines of legendary elegance exclusively from the Chardonnay grape. In fact, this grape has such recognised class that this part of Burgundy is valued as some of the most expensive real estate in the world. Chardonnay is often a safe bet because its distinctive tropical, buttery flavour appeals to so many tastes. So, don't be swayed by the media coverage - Chardonnay can be cool.

4. Wine is really bad for you
Louis Pasteur claimed that 'Wine is the most healthful and most hygienic of beverages', and Dr Henry Lindeman planted his first vines in 1843 partly because of the medicinal properties he believed wine to have. We all feel that wine is good for us and now it seems that some scientists are beginning to agree.

There has been a spate of reports demonstrating the health benefits of the odd glass of wine - as long as you keep within the recommended alcohol units. In the past, a correlation between red wine and lower rates of heart disease had been recognised but scientists were unsure as to why this should be the case. Now, research by the London School of Medicine suggests polyphenols, chemicals found in grapes, can decrease the production of endothelin-1 (ET-1), a protein involved in the early stages of artery disease.

5. Wine gives you the worst hangovers
Some people find that wine brings on terrible hangovers. Believe me, try a few shots of tequila and you'll be longing for the dull thump bought on by too much wine. The bad news is that if you drink enough of any alcohol, then a stonking headache the next day is unavoidable.

While abstinence is the only sure-fire way to avoid hangovers, there are ways to lessen the debilitating effects of that last glass. Water helps avoid the headache, and sugar can lesson the shakes. If all else fails, and you're feeling extremely brave (or desperate) you could always try the following remedy based on the famous 1920s hangover cure:

The Prairie Oyster

Ingredients:
35-50ml vodka (optional)
1 whole egg
80ml tomato juice (or V-8)
Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, salt and black pepper to taste

Directions:
Mix all the ingredients together and then add the egg (which should be swallowed whole). If made without alcohol, place ingredients in a shot glass and swallow all at once. (Note: raw eggs may contain salmonella.)