The Proper Way to Pour Wine

If you are looking for tips that can help you look professional and smooth while pouring wine, look no further. This short brief has all the important dos and don’ts. By the time you finish, you’ll be serving your wine with the finesse of a real sommelier.

It starts with preparing yourself

To pour a glass of wine properly, start by getting yourself prepared. Select the correct glassware, and grab a cloth or napkin that you can have on hand to catch any spills or drips. This is important as one of the art of pouring properly is not letting the wine drip. Once this is ready, open the bottle of wine.

Pay attention to Holding the Bottle:

Pick the opened bottle up from the bottom half. Some people choose to wrap their hand around the bottle, whilst others place their thumb in the punt (the big dimple on the bottom of the bottle) and hold the bottle. Either way is fine, but make sure your hand goes no further than halfway up the bottle – holding the wine bottle around the neck is wrong. It’s also considered proper etiquette to keep the label side facing outwards so your guests can see which wine is being poured.

Take Aim and Pour

Now that you are holding the bottle correctly, it’s time to pour. Stand to the right of your guest, as this is the traditional side on which wine should be served. Leaving the glass on the table, tilt the bottle and gradually begin to pour the wine into the glass aiming for the center.

This can be a little challenging, however, as long as the wine doesn’t splash as it’s poured, then you’re fine. Aim to fill the glass with around 150-180 ml of wine. This is an appropriate measure.

Stop the Drip

If you are ready to finish pouring, rotate the bottle a quarter turn away from you and simultaneously tilt it upwards quickly but gently. This will prevent the wine from dripping if done properly. This is a skill that may take a little practice and until you get it you can have a napkin ready as you move the bottle away just in case there are any unwanted drips from the mouth of the bottle.

Lastly, don’t forget to relax and enjoy the elegant drink!