How to be a wine professional when you're really not

There's something respectable about being a wine expert, but most of us don't have the know-how or experience drinking different types of wines to be considered a pro.

More often than not, we can't actually taste the difference between a $5 bottle and a $25 bottle, but just because we aren't discerning wine connoisseurs doesn't mean we can't act like we know what's up.

Jessica Altieri, the 31-year-old acclaimed sommelier, CEO and Founder of Wine Channel TV and author of the wine-buying guide Kiss My Glass has some helpful tips for at least sounding like we have a grasp on good wine. Read her advice below!

Think wine region

The so-called wine gurus don't order 'Italian wine.' They want wine from a region like Italy; like Tuscany or Piedmont. Or Napa, Sonoma or Russian River Valley in California. Get to know a few wine regions and you can be a 'Wine Big Shot.'

The Pinch

It's a wine glass, not a beer mug. Try and hold the wine glass by the stem. It matters. Your hand wrapped around the glass warms the wine and that's not good. Practice a pinch on the base or the stem with your thumb and forefinger. Guaranteed to get you a 'look' -- as in, "That person must be a wine pro!"

Yes, you need to get a decanter

I drink wine from every price range and the one important thing is to let it breathe, especially when it's your favorite bottle from Trader Joe's. You can let it breathe in your glass, or if you want to splurge to get that decanter you can sip fancy in front of your friends, or just by yourself with Fido on the couch.

Find your favorite sipper

Know it like the back of your hand. Find out what restaurants serve your favorite wine. Know three sexy descriptors about it, like "bright grapefruit, guava and gooseberry aromas with a crisp, zingy finish..." and boom! You're sounding like a pro!

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