Wine Etiquette 101: Dos and Don’ts for Wine Enthusiasts

When drinking wine at home, you have the freedom to drink it however you want. On the couch in your sweatpants, out of a coffee mug — whatever is most comfortable and enjoyable for you. However, when attending a wine tasting or other social event where wine is served, it’s important to be aware of wine etiquette. Joe Canal’s in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, has a large selection of wines from different countries and wineries. Here, we explain the dos and don’ts of wine-drinking etiquette to enhance your experience.

Wine Glass Etiquette: Holding the Glass

The correct way to hold the glass is by the stem and not the bowl. This is not an arbitrary rule of wine glass etiquette. When holding the glass by the bowl, the heat from your hand can impact the temperature of the wine and its taste. Also, holding the glass by the stem can prevent smudging the glass with fingerprints, not to mention making you look more distinguished.

Tasting the Wine

Wine tasting isn’t just about engaging the tongue but other senses as well. Begin by looking at the wine’s color and swirling it around in the glass gently to loosen the aromas. Take a minute to inhale and note the wine’s scent.

When you go to taste the wine, don’t swallow it right away. Instead, swish the drink around in your mouth, allowing it to reach every taste bud. Different parts of the tongue pick up different flavors and textures, so this technique helps provide a fuller experience. Don’t judge the wine by the first sip alone. Sometimes, the second or third sip will taste different. It takes a little while to honestly assess the drink.

Drinking Responsibly

One of the most obvious "don’ts" is to drink responsibly and avoid intoxication. Wine-tasting events are typically at wineries, which don’t have the same atmosphere as bars. They may also be in the afternoon. Therefore, if participating in multiple wine tastings on one day, be sure to pace yourself.

Make sure you eat before drinking wine, as this can help the body absorb alcohol more slowly. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the event. Additionally, remember that different types of wine have different alcohol by volume (ABV) levels. For example, full-bodied red wines typically have a higher ABV than light-bodied red wines or white wines.

Toasting the Celebration

Toasting is a common practice at weddings, holidays, retirement parties, and similar events. Wine etiquette dictates that you should clink the bell (bowl) of the glass and not the tip. When cheering, make sure to look at your partner or the other people in the group and not the wine glass.

Serving the Wine

If you’re hosting a small wine-tasting event at your home, there are additional considerations for wine etiquette. When pouring wine, hold the bottle at the base and not the nozzle. Fill glasses less than halfway and never to the top. This will help your guests pace themselves. Be sure to refill your guests’ glasses before your own.

You also want to use the correct wine glass. There are many types of wine glasses that complement different wines, so be sure to do your research beforehand. If you’re serving food as well, research the best pairings for the wines you’ll serve.

Ensure wine is served at the correct temperature. Proper temperatures for different types of wines are as follows:

• Medium/full-bodied red wines: 59 to 64°F
• Light-bodied red wines: 55°F
• Medium/full-bodied, oaked white wines: 50 to 55°F
• Light/medium-bodied white wines: 45 to 50°F
• Sweet wines: 43 to 45°F
• Sparkling wines: 43 to 50°F

Dressing for the Occasion

Wine-tasting etiquette doesn’t include a specific dress code, but the winery you visit might. Research the winery to see what type of attire they encourage. Since some wineries involve an outdoor trek, wear comfortable yet appropriate shoes. For example, wearing flats instead of heels. Find out the expected weather for the day(s) you’ll be visiting the winery as well.

Find a Large Selection of Wines at Joe Canal’s

With a greater understanding of wine-drinking etiquette, you can make the most of your wine-tasting event. Once you’ve experienced a few events as a guest, you may want to host your own. For this, you’ll need the right assortment of wines, and you can find them at Joe Canal’s.

Search our large selection of wines, which includes reds, whites, roses, and other types. Located in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, we ship wines to customers throughout the state, plus in Florida and Washington, D.C. We also have a wide variety of beer and spirits. Contact us today to learn more about our wines.