Basic tricks for holding the glass like a pro
If you’ve ever wondered how to properly hold a wine glass , this article is for you.
And no, it’s not just for show.
Holding your glass the right way levels up the experience and makes you look like a true wine lover.
Appreciating a good wine involves activating several senses, and, although it may seem surprising, the way we hold the glass influences the perception of the flavor and aromas.
Beyond a simple matter of etiquette, holding a wine glass correctly serves practical purposes that enhance the wine experience. Furthermore, the movement of the liquid within the glass oxygenates it and brings out its qualities. Understanding the different parts of a wine glass and learning how to hold it properly is key to fully enjoying every sip.
In addition, at the end of the article we leave you a short and clear video so you can see it in action.
Why does it matter how you hold your wine glass?
It may seem like an unimportant detail, but it has its trick (and its purpose).
Here are the reasons:
- Perfect temperature: If you hold the glass by the bowl (the part where the wine is), you transfer the heat from your hand and the wine warms up. Beginner’s mistake.
- Clear view: You avoid leaving fingerprints on the glass and enjoy the color of the wine as it deserves.
- Best move: Holding it firmly, you can rotate the glass to oxygenate the wine without fear of it ending up on your shirt.
🍷 So… how do you properly hold a wine glass?
It’s very easy. For an optimal experience, there are two main ways to hold the cup correctly:
- By the stem. Hold the glass by the stem (the thin part between the base and the bowl). This is the classic, elegant, and safe way.
- By the base. If you want to show off your pro skills, you can hold it by the base, although we only recommend this if you have experience.
And if you want to see it clearly, here’s our video with the perfect example to ensure you don’t fail:
And how should you NOT hold it?
❌ Holding it like a whiskey glass. Besides being inelegant, it prevents you from swirling the glass properly to release the wine’s aromas.
❌ Holding the bowl with your whole hand.
This transfers heat to the wine and leaves fingerprints on the glass, affecting its appearance and temperature.
❌ Grabbing it from above or squeezing it as if it were going to escape.
It can cause discomfort and, in some cases, increase the risk of spilling the wine.
The way we hold a wine glass is more important than it seems. It’s not just a matter of aesthetics or etiquette, but a practice that directly influences our sensory experience of wine. With a few simple adjustments to our grip, we can improve our tasting and enjoy every sip like true connoisseurs.
The wine glass was born out of necessity, not for show.
Today, holding a wine glass properly seems like pure showmanship, but its design was born out of necessity. Before the 15th century, wine was drunk from earthenware jugs, wooden bowls, or metal cups, but… the problem? They didn’t allow you to see the wine’s color, a key detail for determining its age, body, and condition.
The solution came with the glass: transparent to appreciate tones and nuances, and with a shape designed to concentrate aromas. Since then, the glass is not only for drinking wine, but for enjoying it to the fullest.
So you know, when you go to a tasting, show off your history: the perfect glass isn’t for showing off, it’s for experiencing wine as it deserves.
💡 Bonus: Put it into practice at your next tasting
Now that you know how to hold it, it’s time to practice.
At Enolovers we have a lot of winery experiences where you can show off your technique, enjoy wine and learn much more about this world.
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