WHATEVER your interests, you can guarantee that there will be plenty of kindred spirits out there in the virtual world of the internet.

So it’s no surprise that there is a thriving online community of ‘wine bloggers’ across the globe.

For an increasing number of people – and not just the Facebook generation – the first stop to find information on just about anything is the web. Nowadays it’s just as easy to order your wine, for instance, with a few clicks, or check out the latest fads by surfing the thousands of sites dedicated to the pleasures of drink.

Bloggers are keen to impress that they are independent of commercial interests however, because although lots of them offer tips and guidance, they are generally in it to share their experience with like-minded people.

Mind you, some bloggers have gathered such a loyal following that they are courted by the drinks trade to include their links in the hope of drumming up sales, recognition that they have a growing influence with buyers.

It does seem ironic though that having a drink or two – a generally social enterprise if there ever was one – should be replaced by interaction over a computer.

Perhaps the next step is hundreds of people cracking open a bottle of the same wine, logging in, taking a sip and sharing their opinions with a virtual world of fellow enthusiasts.

To those who may suggest that bloggers should perhaps get out more, they already are – they’re getting together to hold a European Wine Bloggers Conference, in Rioja, Spain, on August 29. It will be interesting to see if they bring along their laptops, just in case there’s a gap in the conversation.