Holding a wine glass can be a tricky test. A grand cru has just been poured for you, your hand is shaking, and you’ve no idea what to do. You’re asking yourself this question: how do you hold a wine glass? There are several ways to hold your wine glass properly. By the end of this article, you’ll look the part at every one of your tastings.
Why do wine glasses have a stem?
If wine glasses have a stem, there’s a reason for it. It’s to let you hold your glass properly and enjoy this elixir as it should be enjoyed. If your hand is in direct contact with the wine, the wine warms up too quickly. Warming the wine can be a good idea in certain cases, but every wine has its serving temperature. And if the wine warms up too much, it can lose its aromas: that would be a real shame.
So, when drinking wine, choosing a stemmed glass is essential. Then, holding a wine glass properly is the second step toward a perfect tasting.
How to hold your wine glass?
One rule is very simple. You should always hold your wine glass by the stem. There’s one case where you can break this rule: if the wine is served too cold, you can warm it with your palm.
To be very precise, you have two options for holding your wine glass properly. The first is to hold the glass by the top of the stem. The second is to hold your wine glass by its base, pinching it between your index finger and your other fingers. Let’s study these techniques in more detail with two photos.
!Holding a wine glass
In this photo, the person on the right is holding their glass perfectly by the stem. The person on the left, however, is making the mistake: their palm is warming the glass! Let’s move on to a second example, in another photo.
!Holding a wine glass by the base of the stem
In this photo, the person is holding the glass by pinching the base between thumb and index finger. It’s an excellent technique for keeping the glass stable and preventing the wine from warming up. Whether it’s a glass of white wine or a glass of red wine, the technique is exactly the same. Finally, rest assured, we’ll soon publish an article on the best glass for each wine.
To learn more, you can read this article from an excellent English blog. You can find the rest of our little wine courses on this page.
