You're probably one of the people thinking, "Seriously? Is there a proper way to hold a wine glass?"
You’re probably also thinking that the wine tastes the same whether you're holding it by the stem or wrapping your whole hand around the bowl, right?
Wrong. (At least if you want to be 100% above reproach.)
Why Does It Matter How You Hold Your Wine?
Here's the fact: how you hold your wine glass actually affects the taste, temperature, and your overall wine experience. Plus, let's be honest, it's one of those small details that can make you look either sophisticated or like you just crawled out from under a rock.
The Basic Rule: Stem vs Bowl
Before we dive into the specifics of the proper way to hold a wine glass, let's establish the basic rule of wine glass holding: always hold the glass by the stem, never by the bowl.
There's real science behind this rule. Your hands are warm and wine is temperature-sensitive. When you wrap your hands around the bowl, you're basically turning your wine glass into a little heat exchanger.
Here’s what happens if you don’t follow this rule: That crisp white wine you're drinking? It's getting warmer by the second. That perfectly chilled rosé? Not so chilled anymore.
Always Grab the Stem First
The stem exists for a reason, and it's not just to make the glass look fancy. It's meant to be the handle for you. Think of it like the handle on a coffee mug - you wouldn't grab a hot mug by the ceramic part, would you?
When you hold the stem, you keep your body heat away from the wine. This is especially crucial for white wines, rosés, and sparkling wines that are meant to be served chilled. At the same time, even red wines can sometimes get too warm too quickly.
Different Wine Glasses Need Different Grips
Not all wine glasses are created equal, and neither are the ways you should hold them. Different styles of wine glasses require slightly different techniques as per etiquette and science.
Red Wine Glass Technique
Red wine glasses are usually bigger and have wider bowls than their white wine counterparts. This gives you a bit more flexibility in how you hold them, but the basic principles still apply.
The Classic Stem Hold
For red wine, you've got a few good options. The most common and foolproof method is to pinch the stem between your thumb and forefinger, then rest the stem against your middle finger for support. Your ring finger and pinky can either curl under for extra stability or just hang out doing their own thing.
This grip gives you complete control over the glass while keeping your hands away from the wine. You can swirl easily, and you won't leave fingerprints all over the bowl.
When You Can Bend the Rules
Here's where red wine gets a little more forgiving: red wines are properly served at just below room temperature ( 62°F to 68°F), so warming them up a tiny bit with your hands isn't the end of the world. In fact, some wine enthusiasts even argue that slightly warming red wine with your palms can help release more aromas.
However, technically speaking, even with reds, holding the bowl is still not ideal. Stick with the stem - it's always the safer bet.
White Wine Glass Handling
White wine glasses are typically smaller and more delicate than red wine glasses. They're designed to keep the wine cool and concentrate the aromas, which means your holding technique becomes even more critical.
Keep Those Fingers Cold
With white wines, temperature control is everything. These wines are meant to be served a bit warmer above refrigeration, usually between 49°F-55°F. When you hold the bowl, you're not just warming the wine - you're actively working against what the winemaker intended.
The proper way to hold a wine glass in the case of white wine is to use the same pinch grip mentioned for reds, but be extra mindful of keeping your hands away from the bowl. If you're at a long dinner or event, consider setting your glass down a while between sips rather than holding it the entire time.
Sparkling Wine Gets Special Treatment
Champagne, prosecco, cava - all the bubbly stuff requires its own special approach. These wines are served in flutes or coupes, and both present their own challenges.
Champagne Flute Finesse
Champagne flutes are tall, narrow, and can be a bit awkward to hold if you're not used to them. The good news is that the stem technique works perfectly here too.
The key with flutes is to hold them lower on the stem, closer to the base. This gives you better balance and prevents the glass from tipping over.
One thing to watch out for with sparkling wines: they're even more temperature-sensitive than regular white wines. Those bubbles start disappearing fast when the wine warms up, so keeping your hands off the bowl is absolutely essential. Also, these are meant to be served chilled.
Common Mistakes Everyone Makes
Let's talk about the things that people do wrong all the time. Don't worry - we've all been there.
The Death Grip Problem
Some people wrap their entire hand around the stem and squeeze like their life depends on it. This not only looks awkward, it warms up wine faster than ever, and makes it impossible to swirl your wine properly. This is quite the opposite to the correct way to hold a wine glass!
Remember that a gentle grip is all you need. Think of holding a butterfly - firm enough that it won't fly away, yet gentle enough that you won't hurt it.
Fingerprints All Over the Bowl
This is probably the most common mistake people make, as they grab the bowl of the glass and leave fingerprints all over it. Not only does this warm up the wine, but it also looks messy and unpresentable.
Swirling Like a Pro
Once you've mastered the basic hold, you'll want to learn how to swirl your wine properly. This isn't just showing off, swirling releases the wine's aromas and makes it taste better.
The Right Way to Swirl
Keep the glass on the table and use small, circular motions. Don't try to do this mid-air unless you're really confident!
The stem hold makes swirling much easier. You can control the motion better, and you won't accidentally fling wine across the table, or worse, across others at your table!
Social Situations and Wine Etiquette
Different situations call for different levels of formality when it comes to wine glass holding.
Business Dinners and Fancy Events
When you're in a professional setting or at a formal event, proper wine glass holding becomes almost critical. People notice these details, especially in business situations.
Stick to the classic stem hold, keep your movements controlled, and don't gesture wildly with your wine glass in hand. Set it down when you're not actively drinking.
Casual Wine Nights
When you're hanging out with friends, you have more room for relaxation and you don’t have to break your head over the correct way to hold a wine glass. But honestly, once you get used to holding wine glasses correctly, it becomes second nature. You'll probably find yourself doing it automatically anyway.
Stemless Wine Glasses
Stemless wine glasses have become very popular. They're more casual, easier to store, and less likely to break. However, they do present a challenge when it comes to proper holding technique.
With stemless glasses, you're stuck holding the bowl no matter what. Therefore, try to hold it as low as possible, near the base, to minimize heat transfer. Some people even cup the bottom of the glass in their palm, which quite works for short periods.
Honestly, while stemless glasses are fine for casual situations, always stick with stemmed glasses when you can.
Final Thoughts
Once you start holding wine glasses properly, you'll taste the difference. Your wines will stay at the right temperature, they'll taste better, and you'll look like you know what you're doing.
Learning the proper way to hold a wine glass is one of those small changes that makes a big difference. Plus, it's really not that hard once you get the hang of it. Just remember: stem good, bowl bad.
The next time you're at a wine tasting, business dinner, or even just having a glass at home, try the proper technique. You'll feel more confident, and your wine will taste better too, creating a win-win situation you’ll feel good about.
Now that you have that in control, it’s time to choose high-quality wines. Shop the best wines from a wide selection of reds, whites, sparkling, vermouth, and much more to suit your needs.
