The year on the label does matter to some extent, but far less than the vintage tables suggest. A brief guide to interpreting it with common sense.

Beyond Verdejo and Albariño, there are plenty of white grape varieties that can really take you by surprise. These six are easy to find and hard to forget.

You don’t need expensive glasses or technical jargon. With two bottles, a bit of organisation and a little attention, you’ll learn more than you would from reading ten tasting notes.