How To Hold a Wine Glass

Holding a wine glass may seem like a tiny detail… until you’re at a dinner, wine tasting, wedding, or fancy restaurant gripping the bowl like you’re holding a trophy after the World Cup final.

The truth is, the way you hold a wine glass quietly says a lot about your wine etiquette and social confidence. You do not need to be a wine expert to look elegant — but knowing a few simple wine-glass holding techniques can instantly make you appear more polished, refined, and comfortable in public settings.

And let’s be honest:
warm hands + red wine + aggressive gripping is not exactly the luxury wine aesthetic we’re going for.

So before you accidentally traumatize a sommelier somewhere, here are a few simple pointers on how to hold a wine glass properly without looking completely boorish. 😉

1. Hold the stem between your thumb and first two fingers.

Pinch the stem of the wine glass between your thumb, index finger, and middle finger.
• As you position your fingers, place them on the lower half of the stem. Your middle finger should rest on the stem just above the base.
• Only these three fingers will come into direct contact with the stem of the glass. Your remaining two fingers should naturally rest on top of the base.
• This is the standard way to hold a wine glass. Holding it in this manner should provide plenty of stability while keeping your hands away from the bowl of the glass.

2. Pinch the stem with your thumb and index finger.

Wrap your index finger around the one side of the stem, then support the other side of the stem with the tip of your thumb.
• Keep your hand positioned toward the lower half of the stem.
• Your remaining three fingers should curl into your palm in the form of a loose fist. Generally, these fingers won’t touch the base of the glass, but it’s find if they brush against it.

3. Grab the stem directly above the base.

Pinch the stem of the glass just above the base using only your thumb and index finger.
• Even though these two fingers pinch the stem of the glass, they also brush against the top of the base.
• Use your middle finger to support the glass from beneath by extending it outward along the underside of the base.
• Allow your remaining two fingers to rest naturally. They may press into the palm of your hand or follow along with your middle finger.

4. Lever the base with your thumb.

Keep your thumb over the base of the glass, while supporting the underside of the base with your index and middle fingers.
• None of your fingers actually touch the stem of the glass when using this technique.
• Your index, middle, ring, and pinky fingers should all curve gently into your palm. Use the top portions of your index and middle fingers to support the base.
• Note that this holding style is socially acceptable, but it’s also the least stable. It’s best to practice it when you’re by yourself before using it in polite company.

Never hold the bowl.

Holding a wine glass by the bowl is social taboo, but the reasons for that are as practical as they are polite. Both the taste and appearance of the wine can be negatively impacted when you hold the bowl.
• When you hold the bowl of the glass, the heat of your hands will quickly cause the wine inside to warm up. This problem is most pronounced when sipping white wine or champagne since these types of drinks taste best when chilled. The problem isn’t quite as severe when drinking red wine, but even red wine tastes best when kept a little cooler than room temperature.
• Additionally, holding the glass by the bowl can leave fingerprints, which makes the appearance of the wine glass less elegant. Both your fingers and the prints they leave behind can also make it harder to examine the color or clarity of the wine.

Finally

Wine etiquette really isn’t as complicated as people make it seem. Once you understand the basics, it becomes second nature.

Just keep these simple things in mind:

• Hold the stem or base, not the bowl
• Your hand can warm the wine faster than you realize
• A proper grip makes swirling and smelling the wine much easier
• Good wine etiquette is about enjoying the wine better — not trying to look fancy

And honestly, after practicing it a few times, holding the bowl starts to feel a little strange anyway. 🍷

Do let me know if you have other ways you hold your wine glass, also, do read our 9 wine Etiquette to know and 12 Wine Myths Debunked

Cheers.