- Wine experts recommend holding glasses by the stem, not the bowl, because your hands’ heat can warm the wine.
- Proper serving temperatures are critical—whites and rosés should stay between 45 to 55°F while reds peak at 68°F or less.
- Avoid overfilling glasses, serving already-warm wine, and placing glasses in direct sunlight to preserve the wine’s vibrancy.
While wine experts don’t always agree on everything, when it comes to holding a wine glass, we’re remarkably united: Hold it by the stem, not the bowl.
It may seem like a fussy etiquette rule, but there's actually a practical reason behind it: where you hold your glass can affect the wine’s temperature, aromas, and overall drinking experience—especially if you’re sipping a chilled white, rosé, or sparkling wine.
Read on to find out why, and never grab a glass by the globe again!
Why it matters if you’re warming the wine up too fast
If this sounds like an overblown issue, hear me out. You shelled out your hard-earned cash for a bottle of wine that you are excited to sip and possibly share with others. You thought about how it should be chilled, selected the right glass, and poured yourself a generous serving.
But after sitting with it for a while, your wine doesn't taste as fresh and lively as it did when you first poured it.
The culprit? Your hot hands.
Why temperature matters
Wine is constantly evolving. Give it time in the cellar, and its flavors and aromas can be transformed.
But, give it a few degrees of extra heat, and it can change for the worse, affecting its character, aromas, and flavor.
Your lively rosé tastes like a faded, muted shadow of itself. Your bright Pinot Noir tastes flat, even flabby and jammy. Your crisp, steely Chardonnay tastes insipid and soft.
Experts will tell you that even the most opulent red will show best at 68°F or less, while whites and rosés should be served ideally between 45°F and 55°F.
Summer intensifies warming effect
Most people tend to drink a bit more white, sparkling, and rosé wines in the summer, and a few degrees can make all the difference in the flavor, especially for these bright, acid-driven wines.
And if you’re drinking outside, by the pool, on a porch, or in a warmer-than-usual room, wine can warm up quickly on its own. Holding the bowl only speeds up that process. That means less vibrant flavors, muted aromas, and a heavier feel overall. (Not what you want in a zippy Sauvignon Blanc!)
How to hold a wine glass by the stem
Your classic stemmed wine glass can be divided into three parts: the bowl that contains the wine, the stem that holds up the bowl, and the base upon which the glass can be rested.
There isn't one “correct” way to hold a wine glass, but most wine professionals use one of these two approaches:
The middle pinch: Use your index finger and thumb to pinch the middle of the stem and curl your fingers around the stem.
The bottom grip: Use your index finger and thumb to pinch the bottom of the stem, and allow your fingers to rest on the base of the glass.
Don’t hold the glass by the bowl (you already know why.) But resist the urge to hold your glass by the base, because it makes for a less firm grasp. And whatever you do, don’t hold your glass by the rim: it’s unsightly, unsteady, and unsanitary.
Wine professionals hold their wine glasses by the stem because they know their hands—which typically hover between 90°F and 96°F—act as a furnace for your wine.
What about stemless wine glasses?
These glasses are best suited for red wines or beverages unaffected by slight warming from body heat, but they're versatile enough for water, cocktails or even an iced coffee.
Other wine-serving bloopers that will heat up your wine
Gripping the bowl with your fiery paws is the top culprit, but other common mistakes can also roast your wine.
Overfilling the glass: We all love a generous pour, but if you fill it too high, you give the wine too much time to warm up, and you prevent the aromas that generally gather at the top of the glass from offering up their full bouquet. Pro tip: Fill the glass about one-third full. You'll have room to swirl, release aromas, and finish the wine before it warms too much.
Serving wine that is already warm: When in doubt, serve wine that seems a touch too cool, because it will naturally warm up in the glass.
Leaving wine glasses in direct sunlight: Sure, it’s nice to sip wine by the pool, but pop that glass under an umbrella to optimize your sipping experience.
If you’ve been holding your wine by the bowl, this free, instant upgrade will vastly improve your wine-sipping experience.
