I'm a wine expert and here are 5 ways to bluff your way through a dinner party and convince your friends you're an expert

An expert has revealed the simple ways you can convince your friends at a dinner party that you are a wine connoisseur.

One of the most intimidating moments at social gatherings can be when someone opens a bottle and everyone else seems to know what they are talking about in regards to the drink.

But wine knowledge is clearly a point of contention for many Brits Nearly half of people (45 percent) have admitted to lying about it over dinner, according to a Censuswide survey of more than 2,000 people over the age of 18.

Madalena Moreira is a wine expert at Encirc, a bottler and glass manufacturer based in Great Britain, which tests more than 15,000 wine samples every year.

She told FEMAIL how to trick your friends into thinking you're a secret wine connoisseur so you can impress at your next dinner party.

If you're concerned and don't know how to judge the different notes or age of a wine, the simple guide below can help you start your journey.

1. Look at the color

If you have a red wine with a fading orange or brown color on the edge, this is a telltale sign of age, says Madalena.

However, a vibrant purple color usually indicates that the wine is quite young, the expert said.

A deep color in a white wine is either due to aging in oak, or it is a sign that the wine is quite old.

When it comes to grapes, riper grapes in both red and white wine tend to have a deeper color.

2. Talk about the thickness of the wine

If you swirl a glass of wine, you'll see “paws” or “tears” dripping down the side, Madalena explains.

This is something you often hear people talking about at a dinner party – and it's an easy way to keep yourself informed.

The 'legs' show how thick the wine is. It is a sign of a higher percentage of alcohol and sweetness.

This is because the high alcohol content means that a higher density of droplets tends to collect on the side of the glass.

But contrary to popular belief, the presence of tears is not actually an indication of a better quality wine.

If you're worried you won't know how to talk about wine at a dinner party (stock image), FEMAIL has put together a handy guide to help you

3. Discuss the smell of the wine

Red wines made in warm climates usually produce rich or jammy scents, and older red wines can develop stronger scents, such as spice or tobacco.

On the other hand, white wines can have an almost 'toasted' smell if they have been aged in oak for a long time.

Wine is often stored in oak barrels before bottling, a process that can add flavor, color and complexity to the taste.

If you can detect clove, vanilla, coconut, and nutty scents, these are all signs of aging as well.

It's an easy comment to make it seem like you know what you're talking about.

5. Practice makes perfect

Madalena advises to really pay attention to every wine you drink.

Over time you will get used to noticing the different appearances, smells and tastes.

Then you will of course get to know all the different wines, says the expert.

Most importantly, you'll quickly discover which ones suit your palette and choose a bottle you can talk about at your next social gathering.