"Wine is interesting to me because it is related to all aspects of culture, agriculture and high culture, " he says, arguing that far from slavishly following an omnipotent wine writer or critic for advice, it is the ambiguity of wine and the search for knowledge that makes it so pleasurable.

WSJ: Will Lyons on Wine: Jonathan Nossiter Continues to Cast His Critical Eye

The Lords have already announced their themes: constitutional affairs, equalities, home affairs, justice and law on Thursday, business, economy, local government and transport on Monday, agriculture, culture, education, energy, health and welfare on Tuesday and defence, foreign and Commonwealth affairs, international development on Wednesday.

BBC: Week ahead

The talks also touch on bilateral relations in the fields of the economy, culture, science, agriculture, education and health.

CNN: U.S.-Iraq deal 'reachable,' Iraqi minister says