Drinking Wine

How to look like a pro when ordering and imbibing.

How to Hold a Wineglass

• Always hold the glass by the stem, no matter what the shape or size of the glass or the type of wine. Pinch the stem between your index finger and your thumb. If holding the glass by the stem feels unwieldy, check the portion: A wineglass should be only a quarter to a third full.
• When you hold a glass by the bowl, your body heat warms the drink inside. (Remember: White wine and Champagne taste best when chilled.)
• Red wines should be appreciated for their color and clarity as well as their taste, and it’s hard to see them when your hand is wrapped around the glass and you have fingerprints on the bowl.