The stem gives you a place to hold the glass without warming the bowl. Compare the shape and grip for comfort. Try a gentle swirl with the glass less than half full and you will feel why the balance of bowl and stem matters more than the price on the box. Come to the Walnut Creek showroom and pick a few up; it takes about a minute to find the one that suits your hand.
Pinch the Lower Part of the Stem
The proper way to hold a wine glass is by grasping the lower half of the stem between your thumb and forefingers. Pinch the stem between your thumb, index finger, and middle finger where it meets the base. Rest the bottom of the base on your palm and keep your fingers close to the base on the lower half of the stem, so you can maintain the glass in the right position. This keeps your drink stable, avoiding warming the wine and detracting from the experience.
Hold with Three Fingers
You can also hold the stemmed glass with three fingers – thumb, forefinger, and middle finger. Pinch the stem at the lower part between your thumb and index finger. Keep your hand near the lower half of the stem and use your other three fingers to provide stability. By gripping the glass towards the base of the stem, you’ll be able to keep it from warming up too much and maintain its temperature.
Hold Your Wine Glass as Close to the Base as Possible
It is important to hold your wine glass as close to the base as possible. By doing so, you ensure that your wine glass is sturdy and secure in your grasp. Pinch the stem between your thumb and index finger, and rest the bottom of the base on your other two fingers. This way, they’re in direct contact with the stem and can better support the glass. You can also hold the stem right above the base with your thumb and pointer finger. This will keep your hand near the lower half of the stem, allowing you to swirl your wine without warming it up.
How to hold a stemless Wine Glass
Holding a stemless wine glass is similar to holding a water glass. Grip the base of the glass or the area near the stem and hold it with your thumb, forefinger and middle finger. You can also hold the stemless wine glass in a three finger grip with your fingers resting on the base. Either way, you’ll want to hold it near the bottom of the base to keep smudges and fingerprints away from the bowl.
With Mike, you can compare glassware with the way you like a glass to feel in your hand. Call (925) 944-1084 with a serving question, or visit Mike at the showroom in Walnut Creek.
