2 Simple Ways To Hold A Wine Glass
, by Rolando Prendergast, 3 min reading time
Greetings, wine lovers and social drinkers alike! Have you ever been to a nice occasion with a wine glass in hand and felt a little out of place because you weren't quite sure how to handle the glass properly? It's not just you. Today, let's take a sip of confidence by mastering the "Thumb and Forefinger" method and the "Pinch and Stem" technique, two simple yet sophisticated methods to hold a wine glass.
These techniques can improve your wine-drinking experience, no matter if you're an experienced sommelier or someone who enjoys the occasional glass of Pinot Noir. Let's explore these techniques, shall we?
Wait wait wait, lets take a quick look at how not to hold a glass of wine.
A common error is to hold the bowl of a wine glass in your palm. In addition to warming the wine and changing its flavor, this also smears the glass and makes swirling challenging. The right grip can improve your experience.
Method 1: Thumb and Forefinger
This is the most classic and perhaps the most natural way to hold a wine glass. Here's how:
- Position Your Thumb: Place your thumb on the side of the stem, closer to the base.
- Place Your Forefinger: Put your forefinger on the opposite side of the stem, facing your thumb. The stem should sit between your thumb and forefinger
- The Pinky: No need to stick out your pinky. Keep it relaxed.
- Additional Fingers: Your middle finger can join your forefinger for additional support, resting just below it on the stem.
Pros:
- It’s easy to maintain a secure grip without applying too much pressure, reducing the risk of breaking the stem.
- Ideal for swirling your wine to aerate it.
Cons:
- For those with smaller hands or weaker grips, holding for an extended period may become uncomfortable.
Method 2: Pinch and Stem
This method offers a different, yet equally graceful way to enjoy your wine.
- Pinch the Base: Use your thumb and forefinger to pinch the base of the wine glass.
- The Stem: Let the stem pass between your middle and ring fingers, essentially dividing your grip into two sections.
- Support with Additional Fingers: Place your middle and ring fingers under the base for additional support.
Pros:
- Perfect for maintaining the wine's optimal temperature as you are not touching the bowl at all.
- Great for glasses with longer stems.
Cons:
- Not ideal for swirling, so may not be the best choice for wines that benefit from aeration.
- May feel a bit awkward initially until you get used to it.
Both the "Thumb and Forefinger" and the "Pinch and Stem" methods offer their own unique advantages. While the former is versatile and comfortable, the latter truly ensures your body heat stays away from your wine. Choose the method that feels most comfortable to you, and you’ll be sipping in style in no time.
Cheers to mastering the art of wine-holding! Now, let's make sure you have something extraordinary to hold. Find your wine soulmate from our curated collection of Wines hop on over to store.