Holding a glass of wine
If you’re holding your wine glass by the bowl, you’re making a common mistake—the heat from your hand can alter the flavor of your beverage. “People don’t realize how quickly they warm up their wine or beer by holding the bulb of the glass with their palm,” says Mack.
Instead, hold the glass by the stem, which may feel precarious but it’s actually helpful. “Holding the glass by the stem also makes it easier to swirl or agitate the wine or beer to get more oxygen into the glass and aerate the wine, and also to get aromas up and out of the glass.”
So, what’s the proper by-the-stem hold exactly? Pinch the stem between your thumb and forefinger and you’ll maintain the proper temperature for your drink while keeping its intended flavor.
