“SWEET berry jam, overripe blackcurrants; surely chocolate’s ideal mate,” I said confidently as the fortified Bordeaux swirled around my glass accompanying a rich dark chocolate torte.

I’d always fancied myself as a bit of a Jilly Goolden and this was my opportunity to critique both food and wine.

The Stanwell House Hotel in Lymington’s High Street provided a stylish entrance for the decadent evening of fine French food and wine. A six-course menu had been freshly prepared, perfectly tailored to match six different Bordeaux wines; I was in for a treat!

The chilled glass of Laurent-Perrier champagne handed to me on arrival hit the spot. Those classy bubbles were just the perfect aperitif to excite my taste buds for what was to follow.

The Bordeaux region of France has, for generations, made food-friendly wines and the evening had been designed to show the importance of choosing wines that complement rather than overpower food.

Previous wine tasting events I’d attended have always disappointed. Who would choose to eat dry crackers alongside a chilled Pinot Gris? This Bordeaux initiative of serving Michel David Muscadet Sur Lie Close Ferre 2010 alongside a poached oyster with creamed leeks was much more my style.

It was such fun commenting on how well each wine went with each dish. Worryingly, by the fifth course I’d convinced myself I was some kind of wine expert and questioned whether the Vouvray was indeed a match for the Roquefort Pannacotta? It was impossible to fault any of the wines, or indeed the food. The venison was cooked to perfection, actually too perfect for my palate. My meat-eating companion ended up with the tender piece of loin, leaving me room to indulge in the ultimate heavenly chocolate desert.

It’s hardly conceivable that one would have room for the homemade delicacy served with coffee, but after the first chunk of delicious Stanwell House Hotel’s fudge I made sure I found room for more!

The Solent Cellar provided the Bordeaux wine; as independent wine merchants they delight in helping customers select the best wines to accompany food. The next time I host a dinner party, rather than look wistfully in the wine rack for a trusted favourite, the Bordeaux experience convinced me I should take advice before serving wine to impress.

The six-course meal with wine costs £65 per head.