For many of us, the journey into the world of wine begins with a simple act: picking up a glass. And if you’re anything like I was, your initial instinct might have been to cradle that beautiful chalice, the bowl of the glass fitting comfortably in your hand. After all, it feels natural, right? You might even have been surprised, as I was, to discover that there’s a widely accepted “proper” way to hold a wine glass. It has less to do with etiquette and more to do with preserving the integrity of the wine itself.
Let’s uncork this mystery. We can explore why the seemingly minor detail of how you hold your wine glass can profoundly impact your tasting experience.
The most significant reason to alter your wine glass grip lies in the delicate dance of temperature. Wine, especially fine wine, is a living thing, and its characteristics are incredibly sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Your hands, while wonderfully adept at many things, are also little heat sources.
Think about it: the average human body temperature is around 98.6°F (37°C). While this is perfect for keeping us warm, it’s often significantly warmer than the ideal serving temperature for most wines. When you cup the bowl of a wine glass, the warmth from your hand is directly transferred to the wine within.
This is particularly crucial for white, rosé, and sparkling wines, which are typically enjoyed chilled. A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a delicate Prosecco, designed to be vibrant and refreshing, can quickly become lukewarm. It will lose its crispness when warmed by your hand. Even red wines, which are often served at “room temperature,” benefit from careful handling. Too much warmth can make them taste flabby and less nuanced.
As ViñaSomoza.com rightly points out, holding a wine glass improperly “can alter its temperature. If the temperature of the wine varies, its characteristics will change, and and therefore it modifies both its flavor and aroma.” This isn’t just about snobbery; it’s about respecting the winemaker’s craft and experiencing the wine as it was intended.
So, if the chalice is off-limits for optimal enjoyment, what’s the correct approach? The answer lies in the design of the glass itself: the stem and the foot.
Holding by the Stem: This is the most common and recommended method. Gently grasp the stem between your thumb and forefinger, perhaps with your middle finger offering additional support. This keeps your hand away from the bowl, preventing heat transfer and maintaining the wine’s ideal temperature. It also offers a more elegant and stable grip, allowing you to swirl the wine (a crucial step for aeration and aroma release) without sloshing.
Holding by the Foot: While less common, holding the glass by the foot (the base) is also an acceptable and equally effective way to prevent heat transfer. This method is often preferred in formal wine tastings or by sommeliers. It provides maximum stability and keeps your fingers furthest from the wine. However, it requires a bit more practice to master without feeling awkward.
While temperature preservation is paramount, holding a wine glass by the stem or foot offers several other advantages:
If you’re accustomed to cupping the bowl, switching to the stem might feel a little unusual at first. Don’t worry, it’s like learning any new habit – it takes a little practice. Try it at home with water before your next gathering. You’ll soon find that it becomes second nature, enhancing your wine enjoyment without you even thinking about it.
While the grip is crucial, it’s also worth noting that different wines benefit from different glass shapes.
To clink the wineglass or not to clink?
Como sostener una copa de vino?
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