When it comes to enjoying a nice glass of wine, many of us wouldn't think too much about how we're holding the glass, particularly during evenings when we're just relaxing at home with nobody to see us.
The way you hold a wine glass is about far more than looking suitably elegant and knowledgeable about grassy notes and perfect dinner pairings, however.
In fact, holding your glass the wrong way can dampen your experience dramatically, affecting everything from the unique flavour of the grape to the optimum temperature.
This is according to sommelier Anna-Christina Cabrales, who has urged wine lovers not to make the all-too-common mistake of gripping the bowl of the glass as though it was a mug of tea or hot chocolate.
Holding the bowl of the glass can impact the flavours, aromas, and appearance of your wine (Stock Photo) (Getty Images)In an article published in Wine Enthusiast, Cabrales revealed there are three reasons in particular why you should learn to hold your wine glass correctly.
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Preserving the temperature of the wine
A person gives off heat through their hands, and in particular, their palms, meaning it's best to avoid too much skin contact with your wine glass so as to avoid affecting the temperature.
As many wine connoisseurs will undoubtedly know, maintaining a suitable temperature - whether that be for white or red - is crucial for bringing out a wine's distinct flavour profile.
Keeping everything clean
The natural oils on your hands mean you should make sure to handle your glass delicately, particularly if you've been eating with your fingers and potentially picking up all sorts of grease and food remnants inadvertently.
Cabrales warned: "You don't want those same oils or foods to end up on the bowl of your glass. It will alter your perception of the wine because you will pick up those aromas as well."
Unsightly smudges can also stop the drinker from detecting and appreciating the true colour of the wine, an important and often overlooked factor when it comes to tasting like a professional.
Enhancing flavour
Giving your wine a decent swirl is vital when it comes to amplifying the various notes in the aroma, whatever it may be, and getting the full wine-tasting experience.
Naturally, you're probably not going to get the best swirling results by gripping your glass like your favourite work mug, and holding a glass correctly can give you far more control.
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Holding your glass correctly can give you much more control when it comes to swirling your wine (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Cabrales then went on to share four methods for holding a stemmed wine glass, any of which would be considered perfectly suitable for budding amateur sommeliers.
The first method involves holding your glass towards the base of the stem, gripping it between your thumb and index finger, while resting your other fingers at the base.
For the second method, Cabrales advises pinching the stem at the bottom, and for the third, she instructs wine lovers to pinch the base with their thumb and forefinger.
The fourth and final method is understood to be a little more challenging and involves holding the base while positioning your thumb on top and the side of your index finger at the bottom.
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