pouring wine in a glass

Wine can be enjoyed in countless ways and there's no single "correct" way to drink it. However, learning "proper" wine etiquette can enhance the wine-drinking experience for those who want to fully appreciate wine and its culture. The traditions and customs associated with wine-drinking aren't just about formality; they're designed to bring out the best in each wine.

This article aims to guide you through the fundamentals of drinking wine correctly, covering everything from choosing the right glass to the proper tasting technique.

Choosing the Right Glass for Your Wine

A wine glass's shape and size affect how we perceive the wine's aroma and flavor. Different types of glass enhance the characteristics of a particular kind of wine.

Red Wine Glasses

Red wine glasses have wider bowls for aeration and aroma release. The larger surface area lets the wine breathe, softening tannins and enhancing complex flavors.

There are two main red wine designs:

  • Bordeaux glasses have a tall, wide bowl perfect for full-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The height of the glass directs the wine to the back of the mouth, maximizing the flavor.

  • Burgundy glasses are shorter and have a wider bowl. They are ideal for lighter, more delicate red wines like Pinot Noir. The wider opening at the rim means the wine first reaches the tip of the tongue, emphasizing its subtle flavors.

White Wine Glasses

White wine glasses have smaller, narrower bowls than red wine glasses. This design helps to preserve the wine's crisp acidity and maintain its cooler temperature. There are variations for different types of white wines:

  • Sauvignon Blanc glasses have a tall, slim bowl that concentrates the wine's aromas and directs them to the nose.

  • Chardonnay glasses have a slightly wider bowl to enhance the wine's creamy texture and complex flavors.

Rosé Wine Glasses

Rosé wines can be served in various glass shapes, depending on the style of the wine. Long-stemmed glasses with a slight taper at the top are common, as are glasses with a squat bowl shape. With rosé, choose a glass that allows you to appreciate the wine's color and aroma.

Sparkling Wine Glasses

Sparkling wines and Champagne should be served in tall, narrow flutes (not bowl-like coupé glasses). The narrow shape maintains the wine's bubbles by minimizing the surface area exposed to air. Some flutes also have a small bead etched at the base of the glass to encourage the formation of bubbles.

Holding the Wine Glass

How you hold your wine glass is not just about etiquette; it's also about preserving the wine's temperature and allowing for the best possible tasting experience.

Here's how to hold a wine glass properly:

  • Hold the glass by the stem: This is the most important rule. Pinch the stem between your thumb, index, and middle fingers. Your other fingers can rest on the base of the glass for stability.

  • Avoid touching the bowl: Holding the glass by the bowl can warm the wine with your body heat, negatively affecting its flavor and aroma. It also leaves unsightly fingerprints on the glass.

  • For stemless glasses: If you're using a stemless glass, hold it towards the base and minimize contact with the bowl.

Remember, the goal is to keep the wine at its ideal serving temperature while allowing you to swirl and examine it easily.

Pouring the Wine Correctly

Before you pour, wine bottles should be chilled to the perfect temperature. Read Everything You Need To Know About Chilling Wine learn more about ideal wine serving temperatures.

Here's a step-by-step guide to pouring wine like a pro:

  • Hold the bottle near its base or by the punt (the indentation at the bottom). This gives you better control and prevents your hand from warming the wine.

  • Cut the foil below the lip of the bottle. Remove it completely to prevent drips.

  • Place the wine glass on a flat surface. For formal settings, pour without lifting the glass.

  • Slowly pour the wine down the side of the glass to aerate it and prevent splashing.

  • For red wine, fill the bowl to just below the widest part (about 1/3 full). For white and sparkling wines, fill the bowl to about 1/2 to 2/3 full.

  • As you finish pouring, twist the bottle slightly while lifting it to prevent drips.

  • Use a clean cloth to wipe drops from the bottle's neck before moving to the next glass.

Try not to touch the rim of the glass with the bottle, as its considered poor etiquette and can contaminate the wine. With practice, you'll develop a smooth, elegant pouring technique that enhances the overall wine-drinking experience.

Decanting Wine for Better Flavor

Decanting is pouring wine from its bottle into another container (a decanter) before serving. It significantly enhances the flavor and aroma of certain wines.

There are several reasons to decant fine wines.

  • Exposing wine to air can "open up" its flavors and aromas, especially in younger, tannic red wines.

  • Older red wines often develop sediment. Decanting helps separate this sediment from the wine.

  • Decanting can help bring a wine to the proper serving temperature more quickly.

  • A beautiful decanter can add elegance to your table setting.

Decanting is only beneficial for some wines. Generally, you should decant full-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Older red wines of any variety can develop sediment, so it's probably worth decanting if the bottle is over ten years old. White wines don't usually need decanting, except for some full-bodied whites like oaked Chardonnay .

  • Stand the bottle upright for a few hours to allow the sediment to settle at the bottom.

  • Remove the cork carefully, trying not to disturb the wine.

  • Clean the bottle's neck with a cloth to remove dust or residue.

  • Hold a light source (traditionally a candle, but a phone flashlight works well) under the neck of the bottle.

  • Slowly pour the wine into the decanter, watching the neck of the bottle. When sediment approaches the neck, stop pouring.

  • Let the wine sit in the decanter. The time can vary:

    • Young, tannic reds: 1-2 hours

    • Mature reds: 30 minutes to 1 hour

    • Full-bodied whites: 30 minutes

  • Serve the wine from the decanter, leaving any remaining sediment in the bottle.

Tasting Wine like a Professional

Tasting wine involves engaging all your senses to fully appreciate the wine's characteristics. For a detailed guide on wine tasting, including specific techniques and what to look for, check out our comprehensive How to Taste Wine: A Wine Tasting Guide.

Here is a brief overview of a professional taster's process to fully appreciate a bottle.

1. Look

  • Hold the glass against a white background.

  • Observe the color and clarity.

  • Tilt the glass to see how the color changes from the center to the edges.

2. Smell

  • Swirl the glass to release aromas.

  • Bring the glass to your nose.

  • Take short, quick sniffs.

  • Identify different scents (fruit, flowers, spices, etc.).

3. Taste

  • Take a small sip and let it coat your entire mouth.

  • Consider the taste on your tongue, mid-palate, and throat.

  • Note the wine's body, acidity, tannins, and alcohol content.

  • Pay attention to the finish (how long the flavors linger).

4. Evaluate

  • Consider the wine's balance, complexity, and overall quality.

  • Determine how the aromas relate to the flavors.

  • Decide if you enjoy the wine and why.

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