3 things you really should know about wine the next time you're trying to act like a grown-up

1. People who tell you that Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are the same thing are right...sort of.

Yep, it's true what your friend who thinks they know heaps about wine says - Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are different names for the same grape. The former is the French name for the grey-pink skinned white grape, and the latter is the moniker of its (identical) Italian cousin.

But things become complicated when it comes to style. Just as the French and Italians do very different things with white flour (see: baguette vs. pizza), when presented with the same cultivar of grape they produce very different wines. The French Pinot Gris, most often from the Alsace region, is fresh but more full-bodied than its Italian cousin Grigio - who is light, fresh and a perfect partner for fish dish. Dive into the barrel and find out more over at the Kitchn.

2. Stop!! Don't put that red wine straight into the fridge! It's not always meant to be that way...

I know, I know. Your mum gave you a carafe when you moved out of home and said "Peter, always store the red on its side at room temperature, and for the love of Mike, let it BREATHE before serving!"

Sorry mum, not if it's Lambrusco, Pinot Noir or Beaujolais. Just as it's dangerous to try and see the world in black and white, it's equally risky to see the world of wine as just white and red. Lighter reds do better with a little nap in the fridge before serving.

3. Wine doesn't make you fat.

Sorry what?!

Look, Alcohol does contain calories and of course we should only drink wine in moderation for the sake of our health. The real chestnut here is for those of us who are trying to win the 'wine vs. beer' debate in our household.

Recent American studies have indicated that unlike beer drinkers (who face a constant struggle with beer belly) "women who routinely drank moderate amounts of alcohol, totaling about one drink per day, carried almost 10 pounds (4.5kg) less body fat than women who did not drink at all".

And, of course, if all this only makes you feel worse about your vino knowledge (I know I do) you can always sign up for a wine appreciation course.