how to hold a wine glass

To hold a wine glass properly, grip the stem lightly near the base with your thumb and index finger, letting your other fingers rest naturally on or just above the base so you don’t touch the bowl.

Why the grip matters

• Keeps the wine at the right temperature by avoiding warming it with your hand on the bowl.

• Prevents fingerprint smudges so the glass looks clear and elegant.

• Gives you better control for swirling and toasting without sloshing.

Classic stemmed glass: step‑by‑step

1. Place your thumb and index finger on the stem, close to where it meets the base or in the lower half of the stem. Pinch gently, don’t squeeze.

2. Let your middle finger rest against the stem or edge of the base for support.

3. Allow your ring and little finger to relax and lightly touch the base or curl in towards your palm.

4. When swirling, keep the base on the table and move the stem in small circles, still holding near the base of the stem.

Common acceptable variations:

• Pinch right where the stem meets the base, with the base resting on your middle finger.
• Use your thumb on top of the base and the side of your index finger under it (a “lever” style hold), though this is a bit more advanced.

Avoid gripping the bowl like a mug—this warms the wine and looks clumsy in formal settings.

Stemless wine glass: what changes

Stemless glasses are more casual and naturally sit in your hand, but the idea is still minimal contact and good control.

• Hold the glass around the lower to middle part of the bowl, using mainly thumb, index, and middle fingers so you don’t wrap your whole hand around it.

• If it feels slippery, curl ring and little finger just under your middle finger for extra stability rather than clamping the whole bowl.

• Avoid holding a stemless glass down at the very bottom edge; that’s where it’s least stable and easiest to tip.

Quick etiquette tips and “what looks good”

• In formal settings, always default to the stem, light grip, and small gestures.

• When toasting, keep the glass at chest or chin level and clink gently at the rim or upper bowl to avoid chipping.

• It’s fine to relax your form a bit at informal parties—just don’t slosh or wave the glass around.

If you remember only one thing: less contact, lower on the glass, lighter grip —that’s how to hold a wine glass in a way that looks polished and keeps your wine tasting right.

TL;DR: Hold a stemmed wine glass by the lower stem with a light pinch and resting fingers; hold a stemless glass near the lower middle of the bowl with a relaxed, partial grip.