Sure, you could knock back a bottle of Pinot in your sweatpants while streaming Netflix (no judgment, we’ve all been there). But once you step outside your living room bubble, it helps to know a few wine etiquette tips. Think of it less as a set of fussy rules and more like social seasoning: small gestures that make you look sharp, put others at ease, and keep the night flowing smoothly.
Etiquette is one of those things that, on the surface, seems unnecessary, but it is a powerful tool. It is the outward way of showing that you are, indeed, not a monster. It’s proof that you can be laid-back, gracious, and maybe even a little classy… while still being the kind of person who keeps their sourdough starter in the fridge next to a boxed rosé.
Wine etiquette can be useful in many situations:
- Business dinners
- Meeting the parents
- Formal gatherings
- Classy dinner dates
So, here are some of the most important practices to become familiar with:
9 Wine Etiquette Habits to Know
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Hold your glass by the stem or the base. |
 | Smell your wine. Sniff it, taste it, and think about it. |
| Try to drink from the same position on your wine glass to reduce unsightly mouth marks. |
| When opening a wine bottle, try to do it quietly, like a ninja. |
| When clinking: clink glasses bell to bell (it reduces breakage) and look your clinking-buddy in the eye. |
| Pouring wine? Hold the bottle towards the base. |
| Fill your glass less than halfway to give your wine room to breathe. |
| Try to keep your portion of drinking equivalent to that of the other people around you. |
| Offer wine to others before pouring seconds for yourself. |