Tiếng ViệtWine is not only an alcoholic beverage, but also the crystallization of culture, history and art. However, for beginners, the question “how should wine be enjoyed properly?” often comes with confusion because there seem to be too many rules.
In this article, you will learn how to drink wine properly in a practical, easy-to-apply and non-intimidating way, helping you feel confident in every situation, from family meals to business dinners.
1. Step-by-Step Guide to Drinking Wine Properly
1.1 Choose the Right Wine Glass
One of the most common mistakes beginners make is thinking that “any glass can be used for wine”. In reality, the shape and material of the glass greatly affect the wine tasting experience.
Why should you use crystal or high-quality glassware?
Crystal glasses have a microscopically rough surface, which helps break aromatic molecules when you swirl the wine, making aromas more expressive than in regular glassware. In addition, crystal glasses usually have a thinner rim, allowing wine to flow more smoothly into the mouth and creating a more refined sensation when touching the lips.
How to choose a glass for each wine style
- Red wine: Choose a glass with a large bowl and wide rim. This design allows the wine to have more contact with air, softening tannins and releasing complex layers of aroma. The fuller the red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, the larger the bowl should be.
- White wine: The glass usually has a tall stem, a smaller U-shaped bowl and a narrower rim. The smaller bowl helps keep the wine cold longer, while the narrow rim concentrates fresh fruit aromas toward the nose and guides the wine to the tip of the tongue to highlight crisp acidity.
- Universal glass: If you are just starting out and do not want to buy too many types of glasses, choose a medium-sized tulip-shaped glass. This type balances aroma concentration and temperature retention well, making it suitable for both red and white wine.
How to hold the glass properly: The golden rule is to always hold the stem or base of the glass. Avoid holding the bowl, because the warmth from your palm, around 37°C, will transfer to the wine, making it warmer and altering its proper flavor. Holding the bowl also leaves fingerprints, reducing the visual elegance when observing the wine under light.
1.2 Pour Wine Properly and at the Right Temperature
Ideal serving temperature
Temperature is crucial. If the wine is too warm, the alcohol smell becomes harsh. If it is too cold, the flavors become “locked” and muted.
- Sparkling wine: 6-10°C, chilled in an ice bucket or well chilled in the refrigerator.
- White wine and rosé wine: 9-12°C, served chilled to preserve freshness.
- Red wine: 16-18°C, slightly cool. Note: Room temperature in Vietnam is often around 25-30°C, which is too warm for red wine. Place red wine in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes before drinking.
Wine pouring technique
When pouring, hold the bottle firmly with the label facing the guest so they can see the information. Do not overfill the glass.
- Red wine: Pour about 1/3 of the glass.
- White wine: Pour about 1/2 of the glass.
Leaving empty space in the glass is extremely important because it gives you room to swirl the wine and allows aromas to gather.
1.3 Observe the Wine
Before drinking, tilt the glass at a 45-degree angle against a white background, such as a napkin or sheet of paper.
- Color: Bright ruby red usually indicates a young wine with lively fruit flavors. Brick-red or orange-brown tones often suggest aged wine with deeper and more complex flavors.
- Clarity: Good wine should appear clear and bright, not cloudy, except for certain unfiltered natural wines.
1.4 Gently Swirl the Glass
This is the iconic gesture of wine lovers. Why swirl? Swirling helps the wine come into maximum contact with oxygen. Oxygen acts as a catalyst, breaking open the wine’s closed structure and helping aromatic molecules evaporate and release more strongly.
- How to do it: Place the glass on the table, hold the stem with your fingers and gently rotate it in circles for 3-5 seconds. You will see “wine legs” running down the side of the glass. The slower the legs move, the higher the alcohol or sugar content, suggesting a richer wine.
1.5 Smell the Aromas
Bring your nose close to the rim of the glass and take short, deep sniffs. Do not be shy. Around 80% of wine flavor comes from the sense of smell. You can look for 3 main aroma layers:
- Primary aromas: Fruit aromas, such as grape, apple, plum and strawberry, along with floral notes.
- Secondary aromas: Aromas from fermentation, such as toast, beer yeast and yogurt.
- Tertiary aromas: Aromas from oak aging, such as vanilla, oak, smoke, leather and coffee. If you smell wet cardboard or sharp vinegar, the wine may be faulty.
1.6 Taste and Enjoy the Wine Properly
Finally, take a small sip. Do not swallow immediately. Move the wine around your mouth for a few seconds so it can touch every sensory area of your tongue.
- Sweetness: Felt at the tip of the tongue.
- Acidity: Felt along the sides of the tongue, making your mouth water. Acidity gives wine freshness.
- Tannin: A dry, astringent sensation on the gums and teeth, similar to drinking strong tea. Tannin is the “backbone” of red wine.
- Finish: After swallowing, how long does the flavor linger? A good wine has a long, smooth finish without harshness in the throat.
2. When Should Wine Be Allowed to “Breathe”?
Decanting is the technique of pouring wine from the bottle into a wide-bottomed glass vessel. Not every bottle needs decanting, but for many red wines, it works like magic.
- For young, full-bodied red wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah: Young wines often have firm tannins and a strong alcohol aroma. Decanting for about 30-60 minutes allows the wine to interact with oxygen, softening the tannins and helping the aromas “bloom”, making the wine much smoother to drink.
- For aged red wines: The main purpose is to separate sediment from the bottom of the bottle. Pour very gently and stop when sediment appears near the bottle neck.
Does white wine need decanting?
Usually, no. However, some full-bodied oak-aged white wines, such as premium Chardonnay, or wines with strong mineral aromas can be decanted briefly, around 15-20 minutes, to soften sharp aromas and bring out fruit notes.
3. When Is the Best Time to Drink Wine?
The timing of wine consumption also affects both its health benefits and emotional enjoyment.
- The golden time for the palate, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM: This is when the sense of smell and taste is most sensitive during the day, making it very suitable for professional wine tastings.
- The relaxation window, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM: A glass of wine with dinner or after work helps reduce stress and relax the mind. Red wine contains natural melatonin, and a small amount before bedtime may help support deeper sleep.
- During meals: Drinking wine with food helps stimulate digestion. Piceatannol in red wine may also help inhibit the development of fat cells, reducing the heavy feeling after protein-rich meals.
4. Wine Drinking Culture in Vietnam
At business dinners or family gatherings in Vietnam, understanding wine etiquette can help you make a refined and polite impression.
Rules for offering wine and toasting:
- Pouring order: Prioritize pouring for women first, then older guests or the highest-ranking person, and finally the host.
- How to toast: When clinking glasses, look the other person in the eye to show sincerity. If toasting with a superior or elder, place the rim of your glass slightly lower than theirs to show respect.
- Do not pressure others to finish the glass: Unlike spirits or beer, wine culture is about sipping and appreciation. Avoid repeatedly shouting “100%”, as this is considered less refined and wastes the flavor of the wine.
- Serving order at a meal: Always follow this principle: white wine before red wine; light wine before full-bodied wine; everyday wine before premium wine. This helps the palate avoid being overwhelmed and allows the meal to build gradually toward a more elevated experience.
> 4 wine drinking rules at the dining table you should know!
Final Thoughts,
Learning how to drink wine properly is not about becoming overly formal or distant. It is about appreciating the effort of the winemaker and fully enjoying the flavors and emotions that wine brings. From choosing the right glass and serving at the correct temperature to the graceful swirl of the wrist and the smile when raising a glass with friends, all of these details create a refined and poetic lifestyle.
Hopefully, this guide will help you step confidently into the colorful world of wine. Start with the bottle you love most and practice today.