How to Hold a Wine Glass Properly

It’s no secret that drinking wine can be an incredibly liberating and sophisticated experience. But if you’ve never learned how to hold a wine glass properly, you’ve been missing out on an important part of the wine-drinking experience.

Wine is an excellent choice for a wide range of special occasions. For a special dinner, watching the sunset with friends at a winery, or simply unwinding on your couch in front of the TV after a long day. 

But do You Hold a Wine Glass by the Stem or the Bowl? Does holding a wine glass a certain way make a big difference? Should we learn how to properly hold a wine glass?

We know at Papro, that holding a glass of the right way changes everything. Here’s what you need to know the next time you are holding a wine glass.

Why Learning How to Properly Hold a Wine Glass Matters

You’ll want to know how to hold a glass of wine properly whether you’re drinking a rich red, a crisp white, or a sparkling rose. To get the most out of your wine, learn how to hold a wine glass correctly like a pro.

You might not think it matters how you hold your wine glass, but it does affect the oxidation of the wine and, by extension, the taste.

The proper way to hold your wine glass is a point of contention. No matter where you are or what kind of wine you are drinking, learning the recommended methods can help you get the most out of your wine experience.

The proper way to hold a wine glass is an important part of enjoying wine as well as basic wine glass etiquette.

How to Hold a Wine Glass with a Stem

The general rule for how to hold a wine glass with a stem is by pinching the stem between your thumb and forefingers. Place your thumb near the center of the stem, facing you. Next, place your index, middle, and ring fingers on the opposite side of the stem and grasp. For added stability, place your pinkie against the base of the glass.

Knowing how to hold a wine glass with a stem does two things:

  1. It helps to keep the wine as cool as possible.
  2. It provides a wide range of stability when holding the glass and makes it simple to set down.

How to Hold a Stemless Wine Glass

If you’re drinking from a stemless wine glass, you’ll need to use a different technique. You’ll want to make sure the glass isn’t too large for your palm or grasp. Place your dominant hand around the edge of the glass to get a sense of where you’d take it up naturally.

Second, take hold of the glass between the middle and bottom. You don’t want it too high on the glass, as this increases the risk of the glass slipping out of your hand. Practice your grip a few times until you feel comfortable with it.

Drink Your Wine the Right Way

Wine is now available in a wide range of formats to suit nearly every palate under the sun. Regardless of the format used, there’s no reason to throw your wine glass etiquette out the window. 



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