Bringing a bottle of wine to a big gathering sounds easy enough — until you walk into your local Ultra Liquors and realize you have no idea what you’re looking for.

For the most part, we all want the same thing: Something that not only tastes good, but is good — for our waistline and overall health. After all, studies do show that, in moderation, vino may be beneficial for people with Type 2 diabetes and might even promote brain health.

We consulted top wine pros on how to do just that. Follow these eight expert-backed suggestions for picking the best bottle every time.

1. Get to Know Your Local Wine Shop Employees

You don’t have to know every type of bottle in the wine store — you just have to know someone who does, Brett Vankoski, vice president and co-founder of Latitude Beverage Company, tells Yahoo Health. “I recommend fostering a relationship with your local wine shop employee. Although it can seem like a daunting task, talking through your likes and dislikes will almost always end in a satisfying purchase.”

How do you know the employees are actually knowledgeable? “The employee’s willingness and desire to help you should be the biggest indicator,” he says. And check to see if the store is just selling popular labels or if they have ones you don’t recognize, too — which could signal that the staff is well-versed in lesser-known selections. Lastly: “It’s a good sign if the store produces [its] own shelf-talkers — as opposed to the promotional materials of the distributor or winery.”

2. Go for a Burgundy, Bordeaux, or Pinot Noir

If you’re looking to reap the health benefits from red wine’s potent antioxidant resveratrol — which research shows can help everything from your memory to your heart — some bottles prove better than others.