Holding a wine glass...

[chasingflys]

Good Morning..this is my first time on this site and I have an interesting but perhaps odd question: what is the correct way to hold a wine glass? I always held the glass by the stem, however, I was at a wine tasting event presented by a top company and an 'expert' informed us that the correct way was to hold the glass by the base, only using the stem to pick it up or sit it down on a table, etc. I've tried using the 'base' method and it is a bit disconcerting...

[Drew]

The "expert" failed to add that you have to extend your pinky finger out and away while you're holding at the base..... [img]http://wines.com/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

Drew

[Kcwhippet]

The correct way to hold a wine glass is any way you want to. Some so-called experts are just showing their pretentious side when they try to dictate their ideas of proper wine etiquette. Hold the glass any way that's comfortable. Just remember that if you hold it by the bowl, your body heat can transfer to the wine. If you don't want the wine warmed up, then avoid that way. However, Riedel has a line of stemless wine glasses that has been very well received, so with those glasses you can't avoid holding it by the bowl - unless you use a straw.

[Innkeeper]

Welcome to the Board Flychaser. Agree with KC. If at table I usally pick it up somewhere near the bowl, take a sip, and set it down till I'm ready for more. If I'm walking around with it, and the stem is long enough, I hold it by the stem. Never ever hold it by the base although I've seen some do it. They are usually English.

[VouvrayHead]

phthpt!

I hold my glass just about anywhere near my mouth...

[This message has been edited by VouvrayHead (edited 12-22-2006).]

[brappy]

Sometimes, I hold it by the neck of the bottle.... [img]http://wines.com/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]http://wines.com/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

[winoweenie]

Posh! Seems there's more disinformation being distributed about wine and wine drinking than the Iraqi war. Pay heed to what KC said. Whatever gets the glass to your mouth the most comfortably is the best grip. WW

[wondersofwine]

VH and Brappy's replies remind me of the following conversation:

I asked an Air Force fighter pilot "How long before a flight do you have to stop drinking?" He answered, "about 300 yards."