The Art of Holding a Wine Glass

Holding a wine glass is one of those details people notice without ever mentioning.

It is not about formality, or trying to impress. It is simply part of drinking well. The same way you would not serve Champagne warm, or pour a considered bottle into the wrong glass, how you hold it shapes the experience more than most realise.

Holding the stem keeps the wine at the right temperature, keeps the bowl clear, and brings a quiet sense of balance to the moment.

Why it matters

The most practical reason is temperature.

Your hand is warm, and glass responds quickly. Hold the bowl, and the wine warms faster than it should. Whites lose their edge. Sparkling wines soften too soon.

There is also the visual detail.

A clean bowl allows you to see the wine clearly. Colour, clarity, movement. Fingerprints have a way of dulling even the most beautiful pour.

And then there is the unspoken elegance of it.

Holding a glass well reads as ease. Not studied, not performative. Just composed.

How to hold it

For most wines, the simplest approach is the right one.

Hold the stem lightly, between thumb and fingers, with the rest of the hand relaxed.

This keeps the wine cool, the glass clear, and allows you to swirl without effort.

With larger glasses, particularly Burgundy shapes, you may hold slightly lower on the stem for stability. The principle does not change. Keep your hand away from the bowl.

Holding the base

Holding the base is less common, but can feel refined in certain settings.

It is also practical for sparkling wine when you want to maintain temperature more precisely.

If you choose to do this, keep it light. It should feel natural, not deliberate.

When the bowl is acceptable

There are moments when holding the bowl is not entirely out of place.

If a red wine is served too cool, warming it gently for a moment can help it open. Aromas lift, texture softens.

The key is restraint.

A brief adjustment, not a habit.

Champagne and sparkling wine

With Champagne, the answer is simple.

Hold the stem.

Sparkling wine depends on temperature and tension. Warm hands soften both too quickly, and the wine loses its clarity.

Whether you are using a flute, a tulip, or a white wine glass, the principle remains the same.

Stemless glasses

Stemless glasses are practical and relaxed.

They work well for casual drinking, particularly with red wine. But they make temperature control more difficult, and are less suited to wines you want to follow closely.

If you use them, hold the glass lower and avoid wrapping your hand around the bowl.

A final note

Wine etiquette is not about rules.

It is about care.

Holding the glass well keeps the wine as it was intended, and brings a small sense of polish to the moment, even when the evening itself is simple.