Should I hold my wineglass differently in different settings?
Hello there! I'm Dr. Vinifera, but you can call me Vinny. Ask me your toughest wine questions, from the fine points of etiquette to the science of winemaking. And don't worry, I'm no wine snob—you can also ask me those "dumb questions" you're too embarrased to ask your wine geek friends! I hope you find my answers educational, empowering and even amusing. And don't forget to check out my most asked questions and my full archives for all my Q&A classics.
Dear Dr. Vinny,
Recently, while watching movies and TV shows, I’ve noticed that virtually everyone holds the wineglass by the bowl. I was taught to hold the glass by the stem to avoid warming the wine. Are there different correct ways to hold a wineglass in different settings?
—Anthony, Lantana, Texas
Dear Anthony,
Great observation—I notice that too, and it baffles me every time. I’m thrilled that drinking wine has become much more prevalent in pop culture, no matter how the glass is held. But generally speaking, there’s only one ‘correct’ way to hold a wineglass, no matter the situation. Apparently, Hollywood hasn’t gotten the message.
A wineglass should be held by the stem—that is, if there is a stem, and if it’s physically possible and comfortable for you. As you note, holding a wineglass by the stem means the heat from your hand will not warm up the wine. That’s good, because warm wine can taste flabby and the alcohol will stick out. Holding the glass by the stem also makes it easier to observe the wine’s color, swirl the glass and take in a deep sniff, all while avoiding fingerprints (my personal enemy).
I recommend holding a wineglass this way not because it’s ‘proper’ or conforms to some old-school notion of manners. Simply put, holding a glass by the stem, for most people, makes the overall experience of drinking wine more enjoyable.
That said, some people don’t like holding a glass by the stem, or it’s uncomfortable for their hand, and that’s OK. Of course, if you’re served wine in stemless glasses or are enjoying a wine in a can, there are no rules. If I see a friend holding a wineglass like a brandy snifter, I’m not going to get mad at them, and I probably won’t say anything. No one should be shamed for enjoying wine how they like. But if I’m close with that person, when the time is right and we are alone, I might tell them about this nifty way to hold a wineglass that avoids fingerprints and makes them look a touch more elegant.
So why do people hold the glass ‘wrong’ in movies and TV shows? I have two theories. The first is that no one on set knows or cares enough to correct them—and by all means they should hire me as a consultant to set them straight! The second theory is that perhaps they do know, but they also realize that plenty of people hold wineglasses by the bowl. In that case, I suspect it’s a directorial choice to make the character seem more relatable.
—Dr. Vinny
