It happens to all of us, doesn't it? We enjoy a bottle of Spanish wine of a certain vintage, but when we go to the store to purchase more, that vintage is sold out. Should we buy the same wine of the next vintage? Although wineries strive for consistency, wines from the same winery can change from year to year depending on weather and other factors. So, it helps to know which vintages were rated highly in a particular region. Below is a short list of web sites containing vintage charts that you may wish to use as a starting point or guide when selecting a Spanish wine.El Corte Ingles is probably the largest department store chain in Spain, and has everything from women's shoes to travel agents under one roof. They also have a very respectable wine selection. The chart on their wine club web site lists all major Denominations of Origin and their ratings from 1992 to 2008 vintages. The source for the information is the regulating council of each Denomination of Origin (DO). If you wish, click on años anteriores and the vintages from 1970-1990 will appear.

An interesting note regarding this chart is that it appears in the book, "2008 Wines from Spain Far from Ordinary Wine Guide," by Wines from Spain, a division of the Trade Commission of Spain.This page is very simple, but contains a large, very informative chart with vintage ratings from 1971 to 2009 for all DOs in Spain. It is quite unique because it allows you to select one or more Denominations of Origin, then select the vintage years you are interested in. So, instead of viewing a huge chart, you can create your own comparison chart of only those vintages and DOs you want. La Rioja wine region Bodegas, wine museums and vineyards to the horizon – this is Spanish wine's heartland. Ribera del Duero Spain's favourite wine region in waiting, with bodegas all along the valley. Penedès wine country The cavas (sparkling wines) that are Spain’s favourite Christmas drink. El Puerto de Santa María El Puerto de Santa María The sherry capital of the world, with numerous bodegas open for visits and tastings.

Somontano One of Spain's most underrated wine regions, with dozens of vineyards open to the public. Galicia Up-and-coming region with fruity white albariño, a revival of native grape varieties. Asturias Spain's cider capital where's it's poured expertly, straight from the barrel.All throughout Spanish history, farmers, monks and locals have produced wine and drunk it at their family tables, blissfully unaware that their daily vino was the nectar of the rich and privileged in faraway countries. best wine of the month club 2013Wine has always been available here, and it has always been good.best bottle of wine under 30 If you are not from Madrid, it can be hard to buy wine like a Spaniard. where to buy good wine in france

We tend to look for an imported bottle and an expensive label – but not anymore. Forget your old assumptions about quality and price, because in Madrid, fantastic wine is produced just around the corner. On the edges of the city border, incredible Madrid wineries with vast vineyards are producing fantastic wines that have been enjoyed here locally for centuries. You have great wines at good prices right at your fingertips, and are in the perfect place to start a Spanish wine journey.where to buy wine of fire in australia Working at a wine company, I have learnt a few things about where the Spanish buy their wine in Madrid. buying wine online taxDrop your post-work trip to the supermarket and try these 3 best places to buy wine in Madrid– whether you are looking to pick up a bottle for a friend´s dinner, or spend as long as you like on a Saturday afternoon browsing and tasting the wines that they have on offer.best red wine online india

Lavinia is a chic and modern wonderland of wine situated in the barrio of Salamanca. On the same street as Chanel, Dolce Gabbana and Louis Vuitton, its location only adds to its impeccable service, friendly staff and welcoming atmosphere. There is a sense that things are happening here, and they are: with a top restaurant and regular tasting events and courses (this month, special cheese and wine pairing), Lavinia is a hub of specialised wine activity. They even have little decanting machines to taste wine in the shop on your own- the perfect way to test your palate style if you not sure what you like yet.cost of a glass of wine in nice If you are looking for your new favourite bottle, or a gift, and feel a bit lost, Lavinia is the best place to go. best type of wine with fishJust take in the label of your current favourite wine, e.g. an oaked smoky red, along with a price range, and they will show something new to try. purchase wine to ship

If you are looking for a gift, you could even take in the label of a friend´s favourite wine and wrap up something that they have never tried before. Without a doubt, the staff of Lavinia know their stuff- just check out their website to see how many years each sommelier has totalled working in the wine industry. Address: Calle Jose Ortega y Gasset, 16 Santa Cecilia is, in so many words, a wine supermarket. It has a mini supermarket check-out counter, push entry barriers, aisles of beautiful shining bottles, wine gifts and books. However, Santa Cecilia also has a somewhat hidden secret weapon: a selection of traditional Spanish foods. Originally founded in 1922 as a traditional Madrileño food shop, Santa Cecilia has stayed true to its roots and today still offers a selection of delicious gourmet cheeses, hams, aperitivo snacks and store cupboard patés to add to the wine in your shopping basket. Following the theme of food, Santa Cecilia also has a mini cafetería style bar with high stools that serves tapas to try with the wine while you browse.

This makes a visit to this shop with a friend a potential afternoon of food and wine tasting. They also have a serve yourself ´zona de catas´ wine tasting bar, with bottles open and ready to try if you need some inspiration, or are just figuring out what you like. Santa Cecilia also offers a wide selection of liquors, juices, spirits and mixers, as well as tasting workshops and courses- this month Scottish whisky tasting and cocktail making. Address: Blasco de Garay 74, Madrid Walking down the glass walled stairs into Enoteca Barolo´s underground wine selection is like submerging into your own private collection. The wines have been lovingly organised amongst modern box-like compartments and illuminated by simple lighting, as if the room were an exhibition of a life´s work. In fact, having lived for several years abroad in Italy, its owners returned to Spain with a passion for providing the city with an extensive selection of both Spanish and worldwide wines. This makes Barolo probably the best selection of wines in Madrid: a special selection put together by the owners´ personal recommendations.