You’ve been holding your wine glass wrong! Expert reveals the elegant way to take away drinks at your Christmas party

One of the many joys of the Christmas Season is a vibrant social calendar full of work and party events.

But as you get ready to drink and feast, two experts have urged revelers to master the art of ‘festive entertaining’, and especially the etiquette of holding wine glasses.

British etiquette expert Jo Bryant has described the ‘elegant’ way to hold a wine glass in public, while Master of Wine David Gill, Australian wine ambassador Andrew Peace, has shared the best tips for serving alcohol at a festive party.

The wine maestro also addressed age-related questions about the infamous BYOB (bring your own bottle) and whether it’s ever acceptable to get drunk at a dinner party.

Here, the experts reveal the ‘fancy way’ to hold a wine glass, plus tips on how to serve alcohol properly.

How should you hold your wine glass?

This often overlooked rule is a very small one, but it can make a world of difference when impressing your colleagues.

So while holding a wine glass in a certain way may be seen as pretentious, it’s also wiser in the long run, Jo explains. She said: ‘It is more practical and elegant to hold all the wine glasses by the stem.

‘It keeps white wines like Chardonnays cold and prevents dirty fingerprints from getting on the bowl of the glass.’

However, the rule becomes a little more complex depending on whether the wine is red or white.

‘If the wine is red but slightly too cold, holding the bowl can help warm it slightly and take the chill off, releasing all the important aromas into the glass,’ said David.

‘But when it comes to tasting the wine, hold the stem and swirl the glass. Again, you’re releasing the aromas and unlocking the flavors. But remember to do this carefully so you don’t spill the wine on your clothes or on the people standing around.’

What glassware should wines be served in?

With the different shapes, sizes and patterns of wine glasses available on the market, it can certainly be confusing to understand which drink goes where.

While the experts encourage wine lovers to do things the right way, there is some wiggle room, provided the presentation is perfect.

Jo said: ‘Officially the rule is larger red wine glasses for red wine to let the aromas breathe, and smaller white wine glasses for white wine.

‘We don’t have all of those to hand, though, so make sure your glassware is clean, chip-free and sparkling, whether it’s a stemmed glass or a continental-style tumbler.

And when it comes to bubbles, this can be served in either a champagne flute or a tulip wine glass.

BYOB – Bring your own bottle

Bring your own bottle – or BYOB – is a type of informal instruction given to guests encouraging them to bring their own alcohol to an event.

But here’s where it gets tricky. BYOB may be an understated rule at times, but it is still a rule that must be followed, Jo said.

She explains: ‘You should never come empty-handed, and often a bottle of wine is the perfect gift for your host.

‘Better bottles should be kept as gifts rather than shared with many people, but in general most bottles are fine to enjoy on the spot – but that is purely at the discretion of the host.’

David added: ‘The wine is entirely up to the recipient though, so don’t be offended if it isn’t served.

‘Never expect to drink what you take unless it’s an official ‘Bring a Bottle’ party or you have specific requirements. For example, you moderate your alcohol consumption and want something with a lower alcohol percentage (alcohol by volume).’

What drinks should you serve at a dinner party?

One of the many conundrums a host faces when planning a festive party is what drinks to serve.

From teetotalers to wine lovers and even dieters, trying to please everyone can get quite stressful.

“Try to have a small selection of wines: red, white, rosé and maybe even different levels of sweetness, but don’t overdo it,” David advised.

‘Try to ensure that an interesting non-alcoholic offer is also available for drivers and people who do not drink or do not drink.’

And if you want to go a step further and have a little luxury, try matching the wine to your food menu. That will certainly be appreciated by the party goers.

What are the rules for getting drunk at a Christmas party?

According to the experts, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to the amount of alcohol you drink at your Christmas party.

However, Jo warned that both guests and hosts should never ’embarrass’ or ‘overdo’ themselves, and drink responsibly.

If you feel like you are crossing the line of responsible fun, the expert advised taking a short break and filling a glass of water.

David added: ‘Try to drink mindfully and really enjoy the company and the food first and let the wine enhance that.’

How should wine be served?

Last but not least, Jo discussed the correct way to serve wine, as well as how to refill guests’ glasses.

She said: ‘Make sure your guests are properly refilled, and always pour their glasses before refilling your own.

‘Don’t let the bottle rest on the glass. Instead, move it a few inches above. Don’t lean over people, approach them from the side and always ask if they want more than just hiring.’