All about the stemmed glass

The chalice

The different parts of the chalice are :

• Rim: the contour of the opening or rim of the upper part of the glass on which the lips rest. There are thick, medium and thin rims. The fineness of the rim is a sign of quality for a wine glass. A rim that has been laser cut after molding will be thinner than a rim that has not been molded.
• Chimney: the part of the glass that forms the top of the glass and whose diameter generally narrows towards the top. The wider the chimney, the more aromas can escape and the more air can enter. Conversely, if it is too narrow they will remain trapped, saturating the glass.
• Shoulder of the glass: the widest part of the chalice, it is generally used as a marker for the upper limit of the level of wine served. It is the junction between the chimney and the goblet. The curve of the shoulder can be more or less important, with an angle more or less frank or rounded.
• Goblet: part of the bottom of the goblet, where the wine rests directly. Depending on its diameter, a wine will benefit from a more or less rapid oxygenation.

1°: The classic way to hold a stemmed glass: by the stem

• Position your fingers on the bottom half of the stem. Your middle finger should be just above the base.
• Only these three fingers should be touching the glass stem directly. Your pinky and ring finger should rest naturally on the base.
• This is the classic way to hold a stemmed glass.

2°: By the stem with two fingers

• Take the rod with your thumb and forefinger. Wrap your index finger around one side of the stem and support the other side with the tip of your thumb.
• Always place your hand on the bottom of the stem.
• The other three fingers of your hand should be curled over your palm as if you were closing your fist loosely. Generally, they should not touch the base, but it’s okay if they brush against it.

3°: By the bottom of the stem

• Hold the stem of the stemmed glass just above the base using only your thumb and index finger.
• These two fingers should both hold the stem of the glass and lightly touch the base.
  Extend your middle finger forward under the base, touching it to support the glass from below.
• Let the remaining two fingers assume a natural position. You can curl them over your palm or let them follow your middle finger naturally.

4°: By the base

• Press it down with your thumb. Support the base of the stemmed glass from underneath with your middle and index fingers and place your thumb on the top of the glass.
• When using this technique, no finger should touch the stem of the glass.
  Your index, middle, ring and pinky fingers should be slightly curved against your palm.
• Use the top of your index and middle fingers to support the underside of the base.
  Although this grip is socially correct, it is less stable than the others. Practice alone and wait until you have mastered it before using it with others.