Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Holding a traditional wine glass
• Part 3 of 3: Related etiquette

Holding a wine glass doesn't require scientific insight, but there is a right and a wrong way to do it. In general you can say that you have to hold the glass by the stem instead of the convex part of the glass.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Holding a traditional wine glass

1. Never hold the spherical part of your glass. Holding a wine glass to the bulbous part is a social taboo, but the reasons for that are both practical and formal. Both the taste and the appearance of the wine can be negatively affected if you hold the glass by the convex part.
   • When you hold the bulbous part of the glass, the warmth from your hands will cause the wine in the glass to heat up quickly. This problem will be most evident when you drink white wine or champagne, as these drinks are much more delicious when chilled. The problem is not that big when you drink red wine, but even red wine tastes a little better when it is drunk just below room temperature.
   • In addition, a glass sticking to the spherical part can leave fingerprints, which will make the appearance of the wine glass look less elegant. Both your fingers and the fingerprints left behind can make it more difficult to study the color or clarity of the wine.
   EXPERT TIP

   Grasp the glass by the base. Since this type of wine glass has no stem, you cannot hold it like a normal wine glass. Grasp the glass by the base instead of the middle or top.

   • You can use all your fingers for stability, but try to hold the glass only with your thumb and the first two fingers if possible. The other two fingers should turn slightly away from the glass or support the glass from the bottom.
2. Minimize contact. Since the heat from your hand can increase the temperature of your wine, it is better to only hold your glass for a short time and as little as possible.
   • Try to hold the glass only to take a sip. If possible, put it somewhere when you are not actively drinking the wine.
   • Fingerprints are almost inevitable with this type of glass. The social taboo doesn't usually matter when you're with friends and family, but when you're with wine connoisseurs or trying to make a good impression on a stranger, it's better to drop the stemless glasses and go for it. choose a traditional wine glass.

Part 3 of 3: Related etiquette

1. Drink from the same place. Try to drink from only one area of ​​the rim of the wine glass. This can improve the look and smell of your wine.
   • If you drink from too many different places around the rim of the glass, the excessive contact can cause the wine's scent to deteriorate. Because smell and taste are so closely related, this can be interpreted as the taste deteriorating.
   • Plus, just like your fingers, your lips can leave marks even when you're not using a lipstick, lip balm, or gloss. Your glass will look neater if you drink only part of it.
2. While you are drinking, look into your glass. While taking a sip of your wine, look directly into your glass rather than at someone else or an object.
   • It is considered extremely rude to watch someone take a sip of your wine. This is true regardless of whether you are in an active conversation with someone.
   • On the other hand, you "should" maintain eye contact with someone while making a toast. Maintain eye contact with the person who is speaking to you. This is polite and there is a superstition that you will get seven years of bad luck if you don't.
3. Hold the glass right under your nose while smelling. When checking the scent of a particular wine, tilt the glass slightly and stick your nose in it.
   • You can also hold your nose about an inch from the top of the glass instead of sticking it in. Some people can perceive more details of the fragrance this way, while others prefer the traditional technique. However, every way is socially accepted.