As you’re drinking red wine, one of the most important things you can do is hold the wine glass properly. It’s not uncommon to be familiar with the proper techniques for holding a traditional wine glass. After all, why would it be important to hold the glass the right way?
As it turns out, properly holding the wine glass can significantly impact the flavor and aroma. You should always be mindful of how you’re holding your glass of red wine to ensure you have the best wine drinking experience. Here are our best tips.
Top 4 Tips to Hold a Glass of Red Wine Properly
1. Hold the Glass by the Stem or Base
If you want to enjoy your red wine properly, you should always hold the red wine glass by the stem or base. Of course, there’s no one correct way to hold the glass — there are quite a few ways you can comfortably hold the glass without touching the bowl.
Many people like to pinch the lower part of the wine glass’s stem. This is a very stable way to hold a glass of wine and makes swirling the wine easy. You can also hold the stem under the bowl, which will be slightly more stable and reduce the chance of spills. Holding the glass by the base is difficult, but it gives you the best view of the color of the wine.
You'll need to adjust your approach if you’re using a stemless glass. Generally, wine experts recommend holding the stemless wine glass towards the bottom with your thumb, index, and middle finger to support it. If you feel the glass isn’t stable enough, you can support it from the bottom with your ring and pinky fingers. You should never lay the glass against your palm.
There are a few benefits to holding the glass by the stem or base. If the red wine is served at the correct temperature, holding the glass by the stem or base will ensure that it keeps the right flavors and aromas longer. You’ll also avoid leaving fingerprints on your glass and will be able to swirl the wine easily.
2. Be Mindful of Warming Your Wine
If you decide to hold your glass of red wine by the base, it will be warmed by your hand. This is why holding your glass of wine by the stem or base as you drink is recommended. Of course, there are cases where warming the wine might be beneficial.
When your glass of red wine is served, it’s generally a few degrees below room temperature. Dark and full-bodied red wines are kept at room temperature, while light red wines might be significantly cooled.
If your palm touches the glass of wine, it will quickly warm up past room temperature and even get close to your body temperature. If the wine gets too hot, it can quickly develop unpleasant flavors. For this reason, holding the glass by the stem is essential.
Of course, there are cases where you might find that warming your wine up a little is beneficial to the flavor. If your wine has been cooled too much and lost some flavor. As a result, you can use your palm to warm the wine to an ideal temperature quickly.
3. Use the Right Type of Wine Glass
You should generally use a large and wide wine glass when drinking red wine. These glasses are recommended because they’re designed to optimize your wine drinking experience. They offer enough space to swirl and aerate your red wine and are perfect for pouring the proper serving size, too.
It’s only recommended to fill ⅓ of the glass when pouring red wine, making it important to choose a sufficiently large wine glass. Using the right wine glass helps the red wine aerate and lose some harsh tannin flavors. For these reasons, it’s essential to use the right wine glass.
It’s generally better to use a stemmed wine glass for your red wine than a stemless wine glass, as the wine's temperature can hugely impact the flavor. Likewise, using a wide glass is essential for proper aeration. Choosing the right wine glass is one of the most important things you can do.
4. Savor Drinking Your Red Wine
If you want to have the best experience when drinking your red wine, the techniques don’t just stop with holding the glass properly. You’ll also need to make sure to savor the wine properly. You should allow your sight, smell, and taste senses to carry you through the experience.
To start, you should hold the wine glass closer to the base to enjoy the wine's sight. You will be able to see your red wine's beautiful color and clarity without interruption. If the wine is preserved correctly, it will have no particles or cloudiness.
Another essential step to savoring your wine is pouring the right amount. It’s easy to wonder why this matters beyond wine etiquette, but the reason is simple: having enough space in the glass allows the aroma to spread and for the wine to aerate. You should only fill ⅓ of the glass for red wines.
As you sip the wine, you should allow yourself to take in the aroma. This will make it easy for you to appreciate the wine's flavors before you’ve even tasted it. When the right glass is used, the aromas concentrate just above the wine.
If you want to make your glass of red wine as savory as possible, you should always pair it with food the right way. Red wine is the perfect partner for rich and vibrant red meats like steak. Other rich foods, like cheese, pasta with red sauce, mushrooms, and chocolate, are excellent for pairing with red wine.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why is it important to hold a glass of red wine properly?
- Holding a glass correctly prevents your body heat from affecting the wine’s temperature, preserves the clarity of the glass, and enhances the overall wine-drinking experience by allowing you to appreciate the aroma and taste more fully.
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What is the correct way to hold a glass of red wine?
- Hold the glass by the stem to avoid warming the wine with your hand. This keeps the wine at its intended serving temperature, which is crucial for maintaining its flavor profile.
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Why shouldn’t I hold a wine glass by the bowl?
- Holding the bowl transfers heat from your hand to the wine, which can affect its taste and aroma. Additionally, touching the bowl leaves fingerprints and smudges, diminishing the presentation of the wine.
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What are the top 4 pro tips for holding a red wine glass?
- Tip 1: Always hold the glass by the stem or base.
- Tip 2: Hold it with a gentle grip to avoid excessive hand contact.
- Tip 3: Swirl the wine gently to aerate it, releasing its aromas.
- Tip 4: Avoid overfilling the glass to allow room for swirling and for the wine’s bouquet to develop.
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Can I hold the glass differently for white and red wine?
- The same principles apply to both red and white wines—holding by the stem or base is ideal. However, white wine is typically served at cooler temperatures, so it’s especially important to avoid holding the bowl to prevent warming.
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Does the type of wine glass affect how I should hold it?
- Yes, larger bowls are used for red wine to allow the wine to breathe, while smaller bowls are used for white wine. Regardless of the glass size or shape, always hold it by the stem to maintain the wine’s temperature and clarity.
Conclusion
The techniques recommended for holding a glass of wine often seem unnecessary, but they’re based on facts. Holding your wine glass properly will help you enjoy your red wine as it was meant to be tasted. You’ll find that your wine experience improves significantly when you use these four tips.