Quarterly magazines have much in common with enjoyable small dinner parties whose hostesses serve fine food and wine in comfortable and attractive surroundings. Confident party-givers need no gimmicks to prompt their guests to lively and civilised conversation; they offer adventurous dishes and a few bottles from newer vineyards, but with respect for a balance with proven favourites [sic]; they invite new friends to their houses but value old ones too. They provide so many memorable occasions that their rare flops – and these fall far short of disaster – are forgiven and forgotten.