Discover the elegant way to hold your wine glass at your Christmas party!
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The festive season is upon us, and with it comes a flurry of social events, from work parties to family gatherings.
Amidst the joy and merriment, one thing often goes unnoticed—the art of holding a wine glass.
Yes, you read that right. There's an art to it, and according to experts, most of us have been doing it wrong all along.
British etiquette expert Jo Bryant and Master of Wine David Gill, an ambassador of Australian wine Andrew Peace, have shared their insights on the 'elegant' way to hold a wine glass and other tips for serving alcohol at a festive party.
They also delve into the age-old question of BYOB (bring your own bottle) and discuss the acceptability of getting tipsy at a dinner party.
Holding the Wine Glass
The way you hold your wine glass can make a significant difference in your social interactions. It's not just about looking sophisticated; it's also about practicality.
Jo explained, 'It’s more practical and elegant to hold all wine glasses by the stem.
‘It keeps white wines such as Chardonnays cold and stops any messy fingerprints from getting on the bowl of the glass.'
However, the rule varies slightly depending on whether the wine is red or white.
David added, 'If the wine is red but slightly too cold, holding the bowl can help to warm it up slightly and take the chill off, releasing those all-important aromas into the glass.'
‘But when it comes to tasting the wine, hold by the stem and swirl the glass. Again, you’ll release the aromas and unlock the flavours. But remember to do this gently to ensure you don’t spill your wine onto your clothes or people standing by,’ he added.
Choosing the Right Glassware
With many wine glasses available in various shapes, sizes, and patterns, knowing which one to use can be confusing.
Jo advised, ‘Officially, the rule is bigger red wine glasses for reds to allow the aromas to breathe, and smaller white wine glasses for whites.’
'However, we don’t all have those to hand, so just make sure your glassware is clean, chip-free and sparkling, whether it’s a stemmed glass or a continental-style tumbler.’
If the wine is bubbly, a champagne flute or tulip wine glass may be suitable for it.
The Etiquette of BYOB—Bring Your Own Bottle
BYOB is an informal instruction given to guests, encouraging them to bring their own alcohol to an event.
Jo explained, ‘You should never turn up empty-handed, and often a bottle of wine is the perfect present for your host.’
'Better bottles should be kept as a gift rather than be shared around lots of people, but generally, it’s fine to enjoy it there and then for most bottles—but that is purely at the discretion of the host.’
David added, ‘The wine is entirely for the recipient though, so don’t get offended if it’s not served.’
'Never expect to drink what you take unless it’s a stated "Bring a Bottle" party or you have specific requirements. For example, you’re moderating your alcohol and want something with a lower abv (alcohol by volume).’
Serving Drinks at a Dinner Party
When hosting a festive party, deciding which drinks to serve can be a daunting task.
‘Try to have a small selection of wines: red, white, rosé and maybe even different levels of sweetness, but don’t go overboard,’ David said.
'Above all, try to ensure there’s an interesting non-alcoholic selection available too for drivers and people who don’t drink or aren’t drinking.’
If you want to impress your guests, try matching the wine to your food menu. This thoughtful touch is sure to be appreciated.
The Rules for Getting Tipsy at a Christmas Party
According to the experts, there are no hard and fast rules regarding the amount of alcohol you drink at your Christmas party.
However, guests and hosts should never 'embarrass' themselves or 'overdo it' and always drink responsibly.
If you feel yourself getting too tipsy, take a break and have a glass of water, said Jo.
‘Try to drink mindfully and really enjoy the company and food first and let the wine enhance that,’ David added,
The Right Way to Serve Wine
Finally, Jo shared tips on the correct way to pour wine and top up guests' glasses.
She advised, 'Keep your guests well topped-up, and always pour their glasses before refilling your own.’
‘Avoid resting the bottle on the glass. Hover it a few centimetres above instead. Don’t lean over people. Approach them from the side and always ask if they want more rather than just assuming.'
Now that you are prepared with your wine, it’s time to prepare dinner for the party!
It is understood that buying groceries can be stressful due to the rising costs of products. But you don’t have to break the bank when making a delicious and impressive Christmas feast!
MasterChef Australia star Marion Grasby shared her exclusive tutorial on creating these dishes to fill your festive table! Check out the recipes here.
Have you been holding your wine glass wrong all this time? Do you have other wine etiquette tips you’d like to share with us? Let us know in the comments below!
Amidst the joy and merriment, one thing often goes unnoticed—the art of holding a wine glass.
Yes, you read that right. There's an art to it, and according to experts, most of us have been doing it wrong all along.
British etiquette expert Jo Bryant and Master of Wine David Gill, an ambassador of Australian wine Andrew Peace, have shared their insights on the 'elegant' way to hold a wine glass and other tips for serving alcohol at a festive party.
They also delve into the age-old question of BYOB (bring your own bottle) and discuss the acceptability of getting tipsy at a dinner party.
Two expats shared the proper way to hold wine and other wine etiquette. Credit: Unsplash
Holding the Wine Glass
The way you hold your wine glass can make a significant difference in your social interactions. It's not just about looking sophisticated; it's also about practicality.
Jo explained, 'It’s more practical and elegant to hold all wine glasses by the stem.
‘It keeps white wines such as Chardonnays cold and stops any messy fingerprints from getting on the bowl of the glass.'
However, the rule varies slightly depending on whether the wine is red or white.
David added, 'If the wine is red but slightly too cold, holding the bowl can help to warm it up slightly and take the chill off, releasing those all-important aromas into the glass.'
‘But when it comes to tasting the wine, hold by the stem and swirl the glass. Again, you’ll release the aromas and unlock the flavours. But remember to do this gently to ensure you don’t spill your wine onto your clothes or people standing by,’ he added.
Choosing the Right Glassware
With many wine glasses available in various shapes, sizes, and patterns, knowing which one to use can be confusing.
Jo advised, ‘Officially, the rule is bigger red wine glasses for reds to allow the aromas to breathe, and smaller white wine glasses for whites.’
'However, we don’t all have those to hand, so just make sure your glassware is clean, chip-free and sparkling, whether it’s a stemmed glass or a continental-style tumbler.’
If the wine is bubbly, a champagne flute or tulip wine glass may be suitable for it.
The Etiquette of BYOB—Bring Your Own Bottle
BYOB is an informal instruction given to guests, encouraging them to bring their own alcohol to an event.
Jo explained, ‘You should never turn up empty-handed, and often a bottle of wine is the perfect present for your host.’
'Better bottles should be kept as a gift rather than be shared around lots of people, but generally, it’s fine to enjoy it there and then for most bottles—but that is purely at the discretion of the host.’
David added, ‘The wine is entirely for the recipient though, so don’t get offended if it’s not served.’
'Never expect to drink what you take unless it’s a stated "Bring a Bottle" party or you have specific requirements. For example, you’re moderating your alcohol and want something with a lower abv (alcohol by volume).’
Serving Drinks at a Dinner Party
When hosting a festive party, deciding which drinks to serve can be a daunting task.
‘Try to have a small selection of wines: red, white, rosé and maybe even different levels of sweetness, but don’t go overboard,’ David said.
'Above all, try to ensure there’s an interesting non-alcoholic selection available too for drivers and people who don’t drink or aren’t drinking.’
If you want to impress your guests, try matching the wine to your food menu. This thoughtful touch is sure to be appreciated.
The Rules for Getting Tipsy at a Christmas Party
According to the experts, there are no hard and fast rules regarding the amount of alcohol you drink at your Christmas party.
However, guests and hosts should never 'embarrass' themselves or 'overdo it' and always drink responsibly.
If you feel yourself getting too tipsy, take a break and have a glass of water, said Jo.
‘Try to drink mindfully and really enjoy the company and food first and let the wine enhance that,’ David added,
The Right Way to Serve Wine
Finally, Jo shared tips on the correct way to pour wine and top up guests' glasses.
She advised, 'Keep your guests well topped-up, and always pour their glasses before refilling your own.’
‘Avoid resting the bottle on the glass. Hover it a few centimetres above instead. Don’t lean over people. Approach them from the side and always ask if they want more rather than just assuming.'
Now that you are prepared with your wine, it’s time to prepare dinner for the party!
It is understood that buying groceries can be stressful due to the rising costs of products. But you don’t have to break the bank when making a delicious and impressive Christmas feast!
MasterChef Australia star Marion Grasby shared her exclusive tutorial on creating these dishes to fill your festive table! Check out the recipes here.
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