To hold a wine glass properly and with good etiquette, the key is to hold it by the stem rather than the bowl. This helps prevent warming the wine with your hand and keeps the bowl free of fingerprints

How to Hold a Wine Glass:

• Grip the stem between your thumb, index finger, and middle finger near the base of the stem.
• Let your other fingers rest naturally on or under the base of the glass to support the weight.
• Avoid wrapping your hand around the bowl, as this can warm the wine and leave smudges.
• For swirling wine, holding the stem allows easy movement to aerate the wine and release aromas

• When drinking, try to sip from the same spot on the rim to keep the glass cleaner and preserve aromas

For Stemless Wine Glasses:

• Hold the glass around the middle or upper part, using your thumb and fingers to support it.
• Avoid holding it from the bottom to prevent spills and warming the wine

Additional Tips:

• When clinking glasses, touch bowl to bowl gently rather than rim to rim to avoid breakage and reduce germ transfer

• Holding the glass by the stem also helps keep white and sparkling wines chilled longer and red wines at room temperature for optimal flavor

In summary, the classic and most socially accepted way to hold a wine glass is by the stem near its base, using your thumb and fingers to support it, which combines elegance with practical benefits for the wine's temperature and aroma