Beyond being a matter of aesthetics, fashion or protocol, proper holding of the wine glass is something that ends up affecting the tasting and enjoying of the wine. As a general rule, you should never hold the wine glass by its bowl section, and there is a scientific reason behind it. Holding a wine by its stem and not around the bowl will prevent smudging while keeping your fingerprints off the wine bowl. It also keeps the wine closer to the optimum serving temperature and keeps it cooler for a longer time. Holding the wine by its bowl will make alcohol evaporate and negatively impact the taste of your wine.
Place your thumb and first two fingers around the stem while your other two fingers should be rest naturally on the top of the glass base. Holding the glass this way will provide you with plenty of stability and keep your fingers away from the bowl.
Swirling the wine
Holding your wine correctly will provide you stability while swirling your wine. Even though swirling the wine glass may seem a little esoteric it can significantly enhance the taste of your wine. This way you will expose your wine with more oxygen and unlock the wine flavours. Gently swirl your wine glass for 10-20 seconds as you hold the glass stem firmly. Moving the glass too fast or too forcefully will result in spilling the wine. Tilt your glass gently while smelling the wine and keep your nose at a fair distance avoid placing it into the wine glass.
