Before You Begin

1. Determine how much you are willing to spend. You aren't going to find a bottle of vintage red wine for $20, but you probably don't want to spend $30,000 on a bottle of 1945 Mouton Rothschild either.

2. Decide on the variety. Start with the better-known reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

3. Make a list of your favorite reds. Put your favorite type of red wine at the top of the list.

The Great Years

1. Buy bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux and Merlot from the following years: 1961, 1970, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1995 and 2000.

2. Choose the Tuscan wines Chianti and Brunello from these years: 1971, 1982, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1997 and 1990.

3. Get great northern Rhone Syrah from France from the following years: 1978, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990,1995 and 1990.

4. Opt for 1978, 1989, 1990, 1990, 1995, 1998, 2000 and 2001 for Southern Rhone Syrah.

5. Purchase the Italian wines Barolo and Barbaresco from great vintage years such as: 1971, 1978, 1982, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2000.

The Bad Years

1. Steer clear of 1968, 1969, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1980, 1984, 1991 and 1992 for Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux and Merlot.

2. Stay away from 1979, 1980, 1987, 1989, 1992 or 2002 bottles of Chianti and Brunello.

3. Bypass northern Rhone Syrah from 1975, 1981, 1984, 1992, 1993.

4. Avoid southern Rhone Syrah from 1975, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1991, 1992, 1996 and 2002.

5. Keep away from 1975, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1986, 1991, 1992, 1994 Barolo and Barbaresco.