Hold a stemmed wine glass by the stem, between your thumb and first two fingers, with the other fingers resting on the base. Hold a stemless glass low, near the bottom. The stem keeps your hand's warmth away from chilled wine and your fingerprints off the bowl. Pour only to the widest part of the bowl, which leaves room to swirl.
This guide covers each glass, a drip-free pour, the swirl and a short toast that keeps the focus on people.
How do you hold a wine glass?
Where your fingers go, glass by glass:
| Glass | Where your fingers go | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Stemmed wine glass | Thumb and first two fingers on the lower half of the stem; the other fingers rest on the base | Your hand stays off the bowl, so chilled wine stays cool and the glass stays clear |
| Stemless glass | Fingertips near the bottom of the glass, not your whole palm around it | Less contact means less warmth from your hand |
| Flute or tulip | Pinch the stem, as with any stemmed glass | Sparkling wine tastes freshest cold, and the bubbles stay livelier |
| The tasting grip | Thumb on top of the base, forefinger underneath | The steadiest hold for tilting a glass to look at the color |
A chilled white shows why the grip matters. The 2023 Vintner Chardonnay brings green apple, bright citrus and vanilla. Held by the stem, it stays cool in the glass for longer.
Holding the bowl breaks no rule; cupping it is the quick fix for a red poured too cold. Our wine serving temperature and glass guide covers how cold each style should be and which glass shape suits it.
Why do you hold a wine glass by the stem?
- Temperature. Your hand is warmer than any wine in the glass. On the bowl, it slowly warms a chilled white, rosé or sparkling wine.
- A clear bowl. Fingerprints cloud the glass. A clean bowl lets you see the wine's color.
- Control. A stem gives you leverage, so swirling is smoother and spills are rarer.
Stemless glasses still earn their place. They are harder to knock over, which makes them handy outdoors and on a crowded table.
How do you pour wine without dripping?
Not open yet? See how to open a bottle of wine.
- Hold the bottle by its body, not the neck, with the label facing your guest.
- Leave the glass on the table. Pour slowly toward the center of the bowl. Keep the bottle's lip just above the rim, never touching it.
- Twist as you finish. Raise the neck and turn the bottle a quarter turn, so the last drop stays on the lip.
- Keep a napkin handy. Wipe the lip between glasses, so nothing runs down the label.
How full? Stop at the widest part of the bowl. For pour sizes and how many glasses a bottle gives, see how many glasses are in a bottle of wine.
Sparkling wine foams as it lands. Tilt the flute and pour down the side, then pause to let the foam settle before you finish. Our sparkling wine label guide also shows how to open the bottle safely.
How do you swirl wine without spilling?
Keep the base flat on the table. Hold the stem and move the glass in small, steady circles for a few seconds. The wine climbs the bowl and meets the air, which releases more of its aroma. Our wine glossary explains terms such as legs and breathe. Once that feels easy, try it in the air.
Try it with the 2022 Vintner Red Blend, served at about 60 to 65°F. A few turns bring up its cherry, raspberry, cocoa powder and vanilla. At the table, it suits BBQ ribs or grilled bacon burgers.
Skip the swirl with sparkling wine; it only knocks out the bubbles. For the full look, swirl, smell and sip routine, see our guide to hosting a wine tasting at home.
How do you make a toast?
A good toast is short, specific and about the people in the room.
- Who speaks first. The host usually gives the first toast, to welcome guests as the meal begins or at dessert.
- How to start. Stand, or raise your glass and your voice a little. Skip tapping a glass with a knife; thin glass can chip or crack.
- How long. Under a minute. Say who the toast is for, share one specific memory or reason, then offer a warm wish.
- How to finish. Name the people you are toasting, raise your glass to about shoulder height and look at them.
- How to clink. Touch glasses gently, bowl to bowl, since the rim is the thinnest part. At a long table, raise your glass and meet eyes instead of reaching across.
- If the toast is for you. Leave your glass on the table. A smile and a thank-you are the reply.
Here is a short example: "Thank you all for coming tonight. A year ago, this table had four chairs. Tonight we borrowed three more. To the friends who fill them."
Anyone can raise water or a non-alcoholic drink. The glass is a gesture; the words are what guests remember.
If you open a bottle for the toast, a dry sparkling wine is the classic pour. Vintner Sparkling Brut is a California sparkling wine with green apple, luscious pear and tropical aromas. Serve it well chilled, about 40 to 45°F. ONEHOPE Wine gives back. For a holiday meal, our Christmas dinner wine pairings suggest a bottle for every course.
Who gets poured first at the table?
Pour for your guests first and fill your own glass last. Pour from each guest's right side, where the glasses sit. Our winter tablescape ideas show where the water and wine glasses go at each place.
Ask before you top up a glass, and take a hand over the glass as a no. Set water at every place and keep a non-alcoholic choice on the table.
Frequently asked questions
Why do you hold a wine glass by the stem?
It keeps your hand's warmth away from the wine and your fingerprints off the bowl. It also steadies the glass when you swirl.
Is it rude to hold a wine glass by the bowl?
No. Holding the stem is a practical habit, not a rule. Cupping the bowl is useful when a red is a little too cold.
How do you hold a stemless wine glass?
Hold it near the bottom with your fingertips, rather than wrapping your palm around it. With chilled wine, set the glass down between sips so it stays cool.
How do you hold a flute of sparkling wine?
Pinch the stem between your thumb and first two fingers, just as with any stemmed glass. Sparkling wine is served coldest, so keeping your hand off the flute matters most here.
Who gives the first toast at dinner?
The host, usually to welcome guests as the meal begins or at dessert. Guests can follow once the host has spoken.
Should you clink glasses when you toast?
You can, gently and bowl to bowl, never rim to rim. At a large table, raising your glass and making eye contact is just as warm.
