Uncorked

For wine regions with tricky climates, such as Bordeaux, the year's weather conditions greatly affect a wine's quality, evolution and price. Memorising vintages is no easy task and the fact Bordeaux comprises two separate areas - the right bank and the Medoc, or left bank - each with its own distinct weather, complicates matters further. They say wine is liquid poetry, so on the right is a poem to help you remember.

If committing this ditty to memory is too daunting, pour a large glass of Bordeaux and focus solely on the first line of each refrain.

2005 is wine with jive,

Elegant and fine, this vintage will thrive.

2004 got decent scores,

It's classic old-style, not yet ready to pour.