The world of wine is never straightforward, with conflicting opinions on how to drink, what to drink, in what glassware and even how to serve. A Master of Wine (MW) – one of the highest distinctions industry insiders can achieve - and a UK etiquette expert have waded in to call time on the debate once and for all.
MW David Gill and Jo Bryant, ambassadors for Aussie wine Andrew Peace, have joined forces to offer advice on the modern rules of festive entertaining and all things wine. They have tackled the old age questions such as should you always bring a bottle? Should you hold your glass by the stem? And – is it ever polite to get tipsy at a dinner party?
How should you hold your wine glass?
Jo: “It’s more practical and elegant to hold all wine glasses by the stem; it keeps white wines such as Chardonnays cold and stops any messy fingerprints from getting on the bowl of the glass.”
David: “If the wine is white, holding it by the stem will prevent it warming too quickly."
But what about red wines? David: “If the wine is red but slightly too cold, holding the bowl can help to warm it up slightly and take the chill off – releasing those all-important aromas into the glass. When I come to tasting the wine, hold by the stem and swirl the glass. Again, you’ll release the aromas and unlock the flavours - but remember to do this gently to ensure you don’t spill your wine onto your clothes - or people standing by!”
![MW David Gill](https://i2-prod.birminghammail.co.uk/incoming/article28209190.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_191217-Kingsland_DavidGill_016-small.jpg)
What glassware should wines be served in?
Jo: “Officially, the rule is bigger red wine glasses for reds to allow the aromas to breathe, and smaller white wine glasses for whites. However, we don’t all have those to hand, so just make sure your glassware is clean, chip-free and sparkling, whether it’s a stemmed glass or a continental-style tumbler.”
David: “Fizz is often served in tall flutes, which are pretty and OK for the wine style. My only issue is that sometimes a flute doesn’t really allow the fizz to show off its full range of aromas and flavours - so pouring fizz into tulip wine glasses is fine, too.”
Should you bring a bottle to a dinner party?
According to a recent study of 2,000 Brits by Andrew Peace, four in ten Brits say you should always ask the host if you can bring a bottle of wine, but should you? And should your wine be treated as a gift to the host or enjoyed on the evening?
David: “So long as you know that your host isn’t a non-drinker, yes definitely bring wine. The wine is entirely for the recipient, though, so don’t get offended if it’s not served. In my house, if you bring a bottle, it’s likely to go in the cupboard for future use. Never expect to drink what you take unless it’s a stated ‘Bring a Bottle’ party or you have specific requirements, for example, you’re moderating your alcohol and want something lower abv.
Jo: “You should never turn up empty-handed, and often a bottle of wine is the perfect present for your host. Better bottles should be kept as a gift rather than be shared around lots of people, but generally it’s fine to enjoy it there and then for most bottles – but, as David says, that is purely at the discretion of the host.”
![Jo Bryant](https://i2-prod.birminghammail.co.uk/incoming/article28209191.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Jo-Bryant-Etiquette-photo-credit-Michael-WorrellJPG.jpg)
What drinks should be served at a dinner party?
Over a third of Brits said that hosts need to offer a range of drink options that include alcohol, alcohol-free and soft drinks. Is this the case?
David: “Try to have a small selection of wines, red, white, rosé and maybe even different levels of sweetness, but don’t go overboard. Above all, try to ensure there’s an interesting non-alcoholic selection available too for drivers and people who don’t drink, or aren’t drinking. If it’s a dinner party, try to match your proposed wines to the food, but don’t be prescriptive about it.”
Is it ever polite to get tipsy at a dinner party?
A fifth of Brits agree you shouldn’t ever get too tipsy at a dinner party according to the survey, what do the experts think?
Jo: “It depends on the company. Never over-do it and be more drunk than everyone else, but everyone’s limits are different - both for guests and hosts. Avoid embarrassing yourself or being the dinner-party drunken bore. Read the room and if you feel yourself on a different tangent to everyone else, hold back and replace the next glass with water!”
David: "Try to drink mindfully and really enjoy the company and food first and let the wine enhance that.”
How should wine be served?
Over a quarter of Brits believe you should always refill guests’ glasses before your own, do the experts agree?
Jo: “Keep your guests well topped-up, and always pour their glasses before refilling your own. Avoid resting the bottle on the glass; hover it a few centimetres above instead. Don’t lean over people, approach them from the side and always ask if they want more rather than just assuming.”
Andrew Peace wines are available in bottle and bag in box formats from Co-op and Morrisons stores nationwide.