Holding the glass by the bulb will heat up the wine and distort the flavor. The reason for the stem is to prevent adding excess heat, so hold the glass lightly by the thin stem. Wine needs to "breathe," or rest in exposed air, after being opened to get the best flavor, so take your time examining the wine before starting to drink. This is a good time to catch a preliminary sniff of the wine so you can compare its fragrance after swirling. This will also allow you to check for any off odors that might indicate spoiled (corked) wine or some other biological or chemical imperfection, which will smell stale or rotten. Smells to note include: A musty, wet, attic-like smell means the wine was improperly bottled and cannot be salvaged. The smell of burnt matches is a product of bottling, but it should fade after exposure to air. Nail polish or vinegar-esque smells are indicative of a wine that is too acidic. Brettanomyces, or "Brett," causes a yeasty smell that is natural in red wines. Too much of this yeast smell can, however, ruin the other flavors of the wine and point to a mistake in the wine-making process. Tilting the glass can make it easier to see the way the color changes from the center to the edges. Hold the glass in front of a white background, such as a napkin, tablecloth, or sheet of paper, to make out the wine's true color. For the wine professional, this is the first clue to how old the wine may be and how well it is holding up. Look for the color and clarity of the wine. Intensity, depth, and saturation of color are not necessarily consistent with quality. The wine should not be murky or cloudy in color. White wines get naturally darker with age, but should not be brown. Red wines tend to lose their color with time, turning brownish, and have a small amount of harmless, dark red sediment in the bottom of the bottle or glass. Sediment formation, which looks like dirt at the bottom of the glass, is a naturally occurring process in which polymerization causes the precipitation of colloids of pigmentation, among other things, to fall out of solution and form small grainy sediment. Long story short: this is not a fault in the wine, it is a natural part of winemaking. This is to increase the surface area of the wine by spreading it over the inside of the glass, allowing the aromas to escape from solution and reach your nose. It also allows some oxygen into the wine, which will help its aromas open up. Lightly twirl the stem of the glass, keeping the bottom of the glass on the table if you are worried about spilling. Viscosity is how quickly the wine slides back down the glass. More viscous wines are said to have "legs," and are likely to be more alcoholic or contain more glycerol (for sweeter, dessert wines). Outside of looking pretty, this has no relation to a wine's quality, but more "legs" may indicate a full-bodied wine. Initially, you should hold the glass a few inches from your nose. Then let your nose dive 1/2 inch or so into the glass. What do you smell? Keep gently swirling your wine if you can't smell much -- swirling allows the evaporating alcohol to carry the aromatic molecules toward your olfactory sensors. If you don't think a wine smells good, it likely won't taste good. Great wine is enticing on the nose and gives you a hint of what is to come. Common scents include: Fruits: berries, cherries, and richer fruits for reds and citrus for whites. Floral or herb scents in whites and lighter reds, like Rhone region reds. Earthy scents, like soils, minerals, or rocks, are possible in nicer whites. Spices and unique smells like vanilla, toast, pepper, chocolate, and coffee come from the wooden barrels used to age the wine, usually oak. Older wines often have nuanced, subtle smells that are hard to place, so don't worry if you can't pick out a smell.

Summary: Fill a quarter of the glass with wine and hold the glass by the stem. Take a small sniff of the wine right after opening. Look at the edges of the wine and note the colors. Know that red wines have natural sediment at the bottom. Swirl the wine in your glass. Sniff the wine.

One designation many agents have is that of Realtor. A Realtor is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). To receive that distinction (it's actually a trademark), an agent must undergo additional training, demonstrate appropriate professional skills, and subscribe to the NAR code of ethics. Other designations to look for include: ABR, or Accredited Buyer's Representative. This means the agent has passed courses in buyer representation and would know how to protect your interests when negotiating a purchase or a mortgage. MRP, or Military Relocation Professional. An agent who is an MRP has experience working with military personnel and their families. CIPS, or a Certified International Property Specialist. If you want to buy property overseas, an agent with this designation will know exactly how to help you. SRES, or Seniors Real Estate Specialist. If you are over 50, an SRES is a good choice, as s/he specializes in meeting your particular needs. Your agent must have a current license. Make sure your agent has completed all the proper training before doing business with him/her. Your state has a real estate regulatory board, which can be found online. Your agent's name should be listed on the website among the licensed agents in the area. You can also check to see if there's been any disciplinary action or complaints about an agent. You might not want to work with someone who has a reputation for dishonesty in the community. Any prizes such as an "Agent of the Year" award are also a plus. If you're looking for the best possible option, it's a good idea to select someone who has stood out from the crowd during the course of a career. A good agent will gladly provide you with a list of past clients on request. You can contact these people and ask them for an honest assessment of the agent's skills. In addition, seek out reviews and testimonials online. Look on the agent's website or review sites like Yelp to see what others are saying about the agent. A good question to ask past clients is the difference between the asking price and selling price in their case. This will give you a sense of how well the agent was able to reduce prices for buyers or maintain prices for sellers. Ask the client about their overall experience. Ask if the agent could have done anything better, whether the client would recommend the agent to a friend, and what the agent's strengths and weaknesses are. Remember to account for human subjectivity. Some people are difficult to please, so you should contact more than one past client to get an accurate read. There are a few warning signs you should watch for when selecting an agent. If you're selling your home, and the agent immediately suggests a very high listing price, this is a bad sign. Pricing a home too high means it could take a lot longer to sell. An experienced professional will know better than to do this except in a very hot market. An agent who only works part time might not be the best choice. They tend to be less experienced and less dedicated to their clients. If the agent does not typically deal with the kind of property you're buying or selling, try to find another agent. Find someone who can cater to your specific needs. Do not pick someone who does not usually deal with people looking to buy in your price range. As agents are paid on commission, they'll pay more attention to wealthier clients. If your agent typically deals with luxury homes, and you're looking for a modest starting home, that agent may not necessarily be helpful for you. A good Realtor may not fit all of your criteria, but they might be well-equipped to help you. Don't immediately discount Realtors for things like a lack of experience or sales. Be willing to go with a newer Realtor if they seem motivated, hard-working, and knowledgeable.
Summary: Learn what credentials a good agent should have. Look up awards and licensing. Talk to past clients. Watch for red flags. Keep an open mind.