Serious Question: Why Does Wine Make Me Sleepy?

Posted March 10, 2023 by Grace Weston

Wine is one of the finest luxuries of life, and is often an important part of some of our most memorable moments as we spend time with loved ones, travel to new places, and celebrate wonderful accomplishments and milestones. Many people also choose to unwind and relax at night with a glass of wine. Given the time of day many people drink wine, it should come as no surprise that people usually feel a bit tired while drinking wine—however, some people notice that feelings of sleepiness and relaxation come not only with, but as a result of drinking wine. If you’ve ever felt especially relaxed after a lovely glass of wine, you might be asking the question, “Why does wine make me sleepy?”

Read on to learn why wine sometimes makes people feel sleepy, and why that’s so important.

Why Does Wine Make Me Sleepy?

A Result of the Process

As you already know, wine contains an alcohol content that is carefully crafted through the wine making process. At Berryhill Family Vineyards, we grow our grapes on Northern California soil before pressing, fermenting, and straining the glistening white and ruby liquids that we love. During the fermentation process, the sugar content found in the grape juice, skin, seeds, and stems ferments with the help of yeast into alcohol. The yeast that is used in the wine making process usually reacts more with glucose, turning the glucose into alcohol, while not reacting as much with the fructose sugar contents. As a result, once the fermentation process is completed, wine contains both alcohol and some residual sugars.

Relaxing Effects of Alcohol on the Mind and Body

Alcohol is one of the key characteristics of wine, as it’s what differentiates skillfully fermented wine from freshly pressed grape juice. While both wine and grape juice can be greatly enjoyed when they come from quality grapes, wine appeals to finer, more acquired and refined tastes. Wine is also favored for the alcohol content, which promotes relaxation. In general terms, alcohol is a depressant. Depressants reduce stimulation, help muscles relax, lower blood pressure, and can help the brain to calm. All of these effects are encouraging of drowsiness and sleep.

Try our favorite red wines:

Big Red Woody

Cabernet Sauvignon

Other Sleep-Inducing Factors

In addition to the sleepy, relaxing effects of alcohol on the body and mind, alcohol is not the only thing present in wine that contributes to sleepiness. Many grapes that are specifically grown for the purpose of being made into wine through the process of pressing and fermentation are also found to be rich in melatonin, a key hormone that helps regulate sleep. For context, other natural sources of melatonin include tart cherries, mushrooms, tomatoes, nuts such as pistachios and walnuts, fatty fish, milk, and eggs.

The melatonin present in the grapes used for making wine helps your brain respond to darkness by feeling sleepy, and it helps regulate your personal circadian rhythms. Many people nowadays struggle to maintain their internal circadian rhythms due to exposure to blue light and other factors, schedules that don’t align with the light of the sun, lack of regular exercise, and other contributing factors. Some people take melatonin supplements to aid in falling and staying asleep, but melatonin found in food and drinks, such as wine, is a simple alternative that delivers other health benefits at the same time.

Try our favorite white wines:

Chardonnay

Sauvignon Blanc

If Wine Makes Me Sleepy, Should I Use it as a Sleep Aid?

While wine does tend to make people sleepy due to its alcohol and potential melatonin content, it is not recommended to be used specifically as a sleep aid. Depending on how much wine you consume before bed, as well as the alcohol content of that specific wine, you will most likely feel at least a little bit drowsy and will find it easier to drift off to sleep. However, even though alcohol leads to sleep initially, consumption of alcohol can lead to restless sleep and difficulty getting to and maintaining a state of truly deep sleep, the kind that your body and mind need the most during the night in order to have the energy you need during the day.

Of course, the effects of wine consumption and alcohol content varies greatly depending on how much you consume. For most people, a simple glass of wine in the evening is perfect for enjoying its relaxing effects without disrupting sleep later in the night.

If you enjoy the taste and feel of wine at night, by all means go ahead and enjoy it! At Berryhill Family Vineyards we know how blissful and rewarding a good glass of wine truly is.

The Importance of a Relaxing Glass of Wine

While drinking wine probably will make you feel sleepy, that is nothing to worry about—in fact, that is one of the central beauties of a good glass of wine: the chance to relax alone or with friends, the chance to forget about the worries and stresses in your life for a time, and the chance to focus on the moment at hand. When you drink wine, focus on the experience of drinking it. How does it feel on your tongue? What flavors can you detect? How rich or light is the taste? Whether you enjoy your wine alone or in the company of close friends and loved ones, wine never fails to conjure up special memories and feelings.

At Berryhill Family Vineyards, we strive to deliver you the perfect wine experience each time you pour a glass from one of our carefully crafted bottles.

Health Q&A: How Many Calories in a Bottle of White Wine?

Posted March 10, 2023 by Grace Weston

At Berryhill Family Vineyards, we consider a glass of wine to be one of the simple and necessary pleasures of life. Many people find comfort in the ritual of drinking wine with dinner or in celebration of special occasions and accomplishments. If drinking and enjoying wine is part of your daily lifestyle, then it’s important to understand how wine can impact your health. We all know that wine provides important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and is known to reduce the risk of heart disease. But when it comes to caloric content, how many calories really are in wine? More specifically, how many calories are in a bottle of white wine?

Keep reading to learn how many calories are in a bottle of white wine, what key differences make white wine and red wine different, and what vital health benefits wine has to offer.

How Many Calories Are in a Bottle of White Wine?

To get directly to the most important question at hand, bottles of white wine generally contain between 550 to 680 calories. Of course, each wine is different, and the caloric content differs based on the specific type of white wine, as well as individual differences between wine makers. To break it down further, here are the typical caloric contents for the most popular varieties of white wine:

Chardonnay: 615 calories per 750 ml bottle
Muscat: 615 calories per 750 ml bottle
Pinot Grigio: 610 calories per 750 ml bottle
Sauvignon Blanc: 595 calories per 750 ml bottle
Chenin Blanc: 595 calories per 750 ml bottle
Reisling: 595 calories per 750 ml bottle
Champagne: 570 calories per 750 ml bottle

What Are the Health Differences Between White and Red Wine?

While some people may think the difference between white and red wine is simply in the color of the grapes that are pressed, stored in vats, and fermented to perfection, grape color is not the only differentiating factor between white and red wine. All wine is made from fermented grape juice, but the order in which the fermentation and juicing processes occur varies from batch to batch. Red wine is always made from red varietals of grapes, while white wine can be made from either red or white varietals of grapes—in the case of white wine, the difference lies in the pressing, juicing, and fermentation processes.

The Difference Comes In the Juicing and Fermentation Process

In the process of making white wine, the grapes are pressed and then the juice is separated from the skins, seeds, and stems. After the straining and removal of the plant parts, the juice is then transferred to buckets or vats and stored for extended periods of time to allow for proper fermentation. Much of the pigmentation of wine comes from the skins of the grapes that are pressed, so the removal of the skins before fermentation makes for a lighter-colored wine.

On the other hand, red wine is made from red varietals of grapes, and gains much of its rich colors and vibrant hues from the grape skins. Contrary to the process of making white wine, when making red wine the crushed grapes are stored in vats and buckets to ferment before being strained of the plant parts. The presence of the skin, seeds, and stems during fermentation adds to both the coloring and nutritional value of the wine, since the plant parts contain tannins and resveratrol.

Learn more about how white wine is made.

Higher Plant Contents During Fermentation Leads to Higher Nutritional Contents

Because red wine undergoes fermentation with the skin, seeds, and stems which contain additional nutritional plant compounds, more of those compounds are transferred to the juice that is ultimately strained out. Red wine is famously known to help reduce the risk of heart disease, as the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in red wine in significant quantities all contribute to protecting and strengthening the cardiovascular system.

Despite the well-known health benefits associated with red wine, white wine also contains many of the same important nutrients, just in less concentrated amounts. The other main health difference between white and red wine lies in their caloric contents. Red wine contains higher caloric counts than white wine as a result of undergoing the fermentation process in the presence of more calorie-containing plant parts. Additionally, red wine contains higher alcohol content than white wine for the same reason. For these reasons, white wine is often preferred as the lighter option.

What Are the Specific Health Benefits of White Wine?

While white wine does, admittedly, contain a less robust number of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than red wine, that does not mean it is entirely without those important nutrients! White wine contains significant amounts of the following nutrients, and when you consider the lower calorie count found in white wine compared to red wine, it’s no wonder many people prefer white wine when considering their own personal health concerns and goals.

Flavonoids—helps regulate cellular activity and fight oxidative stress
Polyphenols—anti-inflammatory, helps reduce risk of cancer
Caffeic Acid—helps reduce oxidative stress, prevents kidney diseases, boosts collagen and prevents aging
Magnesium—lowers blood sugar and blood pressure, helps maintain heart health and strength, strengthens bones, promotes muscle relaxation
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)—helps transport oxygen through the bloodstream, strengthens the immune system, boosts circulation
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)—helps break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, boosts energy levels
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)—helps lower cholesterol, contributes to healthy skin, improves brain function, may help relieve arthritis symptoms
Iron—necessary for the body’s production of hemoglobin and myoglobin, helps supply the body with oxygen, aids the body in growth and development
Calcium—helps maintain bone health and strength, contributes to healthy nerves, regulates blood flow, aids muscle strength and mobility
Potassium—a vital electrolyte, regulates heartbeat, improves muscle and nerve function, helps filter cell waste
Phosphorus—strengthens bones and teeth, removes kidney waste, contributes to healthy DNA and RNA, helps repair damaged tissues
Zinc—strengthens the immune system, improves metabolism

Shop our selection of both red and white wines, from grapes grown on Northern California soil.

What Does Wine Taste Like? All You Need to Know

Posted February 21, 2023 by Grace Weston

Wondering ‘what does wine taste like?’ Tasting wine goes beyond simple statements such as “this is sweet” or “this is bitter.” While it’s not as complex as what wine connoisseurs do, it falls somewhere in between their level of expertise and the casual drinker’s.

By understanding the flavor profiles of different wines, you can make better choices when selecting a bottle for your next dinner party. A classic example is pairing red wine with red meat, and in this guide, we’ll delve into why this is a winning combination.

Whether you’re a newcomer to the wine lifestyle or a seasoned drinker looking to expand your knowledge, keep reading to discover the secrets of wine tasting!

Notes of Wine

#1 Acidity

Have you ever taken a sip of wine and the sensation made your entire face contract into a scrunched-up look of discomfort? That happens when the wine is just a bit too tart. The determining factor of tartness in wine is the acidity level. Wine tends to be on the more acidic side of the pH scale, and the most common ones are: tartaric, malic, and citric acid.

#2 Sweetness

It all depends on the type of wine you’re sipping, but the sweetness in wine can range from having no sugar to tasting sweet as honey. When you hear the term ‘dry’ in reference to wine, it typically means the bottle is lacking sweetness.

#3 Tannins

Not sure what the word tannin even means? Picture a wet tea bag on your tongue and the flavor seeping through is a great representation of what tannin tastes like. It’s described as the property of wine that dries the mouth, especially when sipping on a dark red wine. Tannins are what’s responsible for giving the wine its astringency, complexity, and body.

#4 Palate

Alcohol has a spicy flavor that warms the back of your throat. The typical alcohol content for wine ranges from 10% ABV to 15% ABV. There are a few exceptions that have a bit more or fall under 10%.

What Does Red Wine Taste Like?

Firstly, let’s establish what gives red wine its rich, deep coloring. The skin on the grapes determines the color of the wine. The longer the skin is kept on the grape during the process, the deeper red the wine ends up being. Red wine is usually enjoyed with chocolates and red meat and red sauces. Red Blends are increasingly popular and have a varied mix of flavors to them.

Pinot Noir is a light, dry red wine with high acidity. It strays towards more earthy notes, and pairs wonderfully with salmon or beef stew.

Merlot, a medium-bodied red, contains the perfect amount of boldness. Not too heavy on the tannins or the intensity of flavor. It’s best for sipping on with spaghetti, or anything for that matter! The versatility makes it perfect for every occasion.

The classic Cabernet Sauvignon carries many flavors with it. The high acidity, strong tannins, and notes of vanilla create the warmest aromas in a glass. Enjoyed over a steak dinner, Cabernet Sauvignon is your red wine go-to.

What Does White Wine Taste Like?

To produce a glass of creamy and succulent Chardonnay, the skin of the grapes must be removed as soon as possible during the wine-making process. Many people expect white wine to be lighter and more refreshing than its red counterpart – and this is true!

White wine can vary from very dry to sweet, and it is unusual for it to have a bitter taste due to the minimal tannins it contains. After taking a sip, most people experience a crisp, fresh flavor with hints of fruitiness, citrus, and florals.

A cold glass of white wine is the epitome of refreshment and celebration, making it a perfect choice for a relaxing day by the pool. So, next time you want to soak up the sun, consider opting for a sweet glass of white wine.

What Does Expensive vs. Inexpensive Wine Taste Like?

Why is wine so expensive, you might ask? There are three key factors that contribute to its cost: oak, time, and terroir.

The most highly sought-after wines are aged in oak barrels, which imbue the wine with a vanilla and baking spice flavor and expose it to extra oxygen. This process has two effects: the tannins become less harsh, and the wine’s taste becomes smoother. A wine that has been aged in the barrel over time has a more intense and rich flavor profile.

The saying “the older the better” often applies to red wine. As it ages, the acidity and tannins decrease, and the fruit flavors become more nuanced, resembling dried fruit. Over time, the wine becomes rounder and smoother, developing into a delicious drink.

The quality of wine is also influenced by where and how the grapes are grown. Many vineyards prioritize producing high-quality grapes to enhance the wine’s flavor, resulting in fewer yields but more intense and flavorful wines.

So, What Does Wine Taste Like?

Wine is a beverage that is full of flavor and complexity. Whether you’re a seasoned drinker or a newcomer to the wine lifestyle, understanding the different taste profiles is key to making the right choice for your next dinner party. Wine can be tart or sweet, tannin-rich or light, and its flavor can vary greatly depending on factors such as the type of grape, the wine-making process, and the aging process.

With its wide range of tastes and flavors, wine is an acquired taste that develops over time, and the best way to know what it truly tastes like is to try it for yourself. Whether you’re looking for a crisp, refreshing white wine or a bold, full-bodied red, there’s a wine out there for you.

How Many Glasses Of Wine To Get Drunk (Weight Chart)

Posted January 20, 2023 by Grace Weston

Waking up and the realization hits: you said one too many embarrassing comments last night as you freely drank your hefty glasses of wine. The pounding headache sets in, and quickly it’s decided this morning will be filled with Advil and movies in a very dark room. Rolling over in bed, you wonder, how much wine did I drink?

When sipping on glasses of wine throughout the evening, it can be easy to lose count. The smooth flavor masks the alcohol taste, and the effects might not be noticed until it’s too late. Nobody likes a terrible hangover, so finding out your limit is crucial to avoiding the sluggish morning after and the embarrassing reality of what happened the night before. Knowing just how many glasses of wine to get drunk is the perfect solution to establishing your wine limit.

Let’s take a look at a few deciding factors that determine how much wine will get you drunk below!

The Alcohol Content in Wine

The alcohol content in wine is represented by ‘ABV’, or alcohol by volume. It measures the amount of alcohol in the given volume of the drink.

The ABV can vary depending on the wine type and can affect the taste considerably. We can easily put different wines into categories based on their low or high ABV levels. Knowing this information informs you that not all glasses of wine are created equal.

Low-Level Alcohol Wines (12.5%)

These wines are the lightest and include types like:

Prosecco
White Zinfandel
Muscadet

Moderate Level Alcohol Wines (12.5%-13.5%)

As you move up the scale you’ll notice a bit bolder flavors, higher price points than the low ABV.

Medium/High-Level Alcohol Wines (14.5% and up)

Boasting the highest alcohol content, these wines are the booziest of the bunch. Plus, most of these are fortified wines, which is an addition of distilled spirits.

Cabernet Sauvignon
Australian Shiraz
California Syrah

How Many Glasses of Wine to Get Drunk: Tolerance Factors

Everyone has a different tolerance than one another based on their sex, body weight, and age. If you consume wine daily, your tolerance is likely much higher than someone who never drinks it. Keep in mind eating food helps slow down the absorption of alcohol by coating the stomach lining.

Sex

Simply based on science, females tend to be smaller than males and hold onto more fat. Additionally, men hold on to 10% more water than women and can break down the alcohol content much faster than females, removing the drunkenness factor.

Weight

A person’s body greatly impacts the amount they can drink. Someone with a bigger body can consume more alcohol before getting drunk due to a greater amount of blood in their system. Looking at the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) chart, it illustrates that someone under 100 lbs. can drink 1 glass and be considered legally drunk, whereas someone who weighs 250 lbs. can have 3 glasses and reach the same limit.

Glasses of Wine	100 lbs.	150 lbs.	200 lbs.	250 lbs.
1	0.08	0.06	0.04	0.03
2	0.16	0.12	0.08	0.06
3	0.24	0.18	0.12	0.09
4	0.32	0.26	0.16	0.10
5	0.40	0.32	0.20	0.13
6	0.48	0.38	0.24	0.16
7	0.56	0.44	0.28	0.19
8	0.64	0.50	0.32	0.22
9	0.72	0.53	0.36	0.25
10	0.80	0.59	0.40	0.28

Age

Your tolerance improves the more you drink and the older you become. An individual who has never drank before will get intoxicated much quicker from less alcohol than someone who regularly consumes alcohol.

Mixing Alcohol Types

Mixing your drinks throughout the night can lead to a worse case of drunkenness than sticking to wine or one drink. It can increase stomach irritation and leads to confusion about how much alcohol you have ingested. Since it makes it more difficult to track how much you have had to drink, it has negative effects.

How Many Glasses of Wine to Get Drunk: Avoid The Nasty Hangover

After covering some contributing factors that lead to a drunken night, we can quickly establish what to do to minimize the chances of waking up hungover.

Learn Your Tolerance

By experimentation, we can develop a clear understanding of what our bodies can and cannot handle. Picking a safe place, such as your home, to test it out is the best option. Letting a close friend or family know to keep an eye on you is also a smart suggestion throughout the process.

Pour a couple of glasses of wine and sip on them for over an hour.
When you start to feel the effects of being tipsy, such as euphoric or dizzy, keep note of it.
If you have not experienced these symptoms yet, have a third glass until you feel the effects.
Take note of how many glasses you consumed—this is your tolerance level!

Drink Wine with a Lower ABV

Having a few glasses of wine with a lower ABV can slow down the process of getting drunk. These lighter and fruitier options of wine are perfect for newbie wine drinkers. With a lower ABV, keep in mind the serving size you are pouring. Lucky for you, a larger pour is not going to leave you inebriated.

Opt for these types to have a more enjoyable time and something you can sip on all night long without fear of a hangover! A few wine tips and tricks up your sleeve will come in handy to avoid making a fool of yourself.

Eat a Full Meal

Eating a hearty meal before a night out and staying hydrated is a game changer when it comes to tolerating alcohol. Food lines your stomach and dilutes the alcohol in wine, making it easier to digest and helping you stay sober longer. Drinking glasses of water during the night can additionally aid your metabolism by breaking down alcohol faster.

So, How Many Glasses of Wine Does it Take to Get Drunk?

The fact of the matter is – it depends. All of these deciding factors contribute to establishing your limit. But, it is always helpful to remember the famous phrase ‘everything in moderation’. It comes into play very well when drinking wine. Wine is delicious until it becomes our worst enemy the morning after.

If you follow this guide, there is no doubt you can avoid intoxication, providing a much more enjoyable time out with friends and family!

11 Best Wines for People Who Don’t Like Wine!

Posted January 20, 2023 by Grace Weston

Wondering if there is wine for people who don’t like wine? If taking a sniff into your wine glass leads to your nose furling up and grimacing, it is safe to say wine is not your go-to beverage of choice. It takes time to grow accustomed to the robust flavor wine encompasses. From the deepest reds to the driest white wines, curating a love for wine is not something that occurs overnight.

Although we don’t expect everyone to be wine lovers, it can be helpful to know what glass of wine will bring you the most enjoyment the next time you are presented with options!

If you are new to the wine scene and want to overcome your dislike for it, then start out with softer flavors, such as white or rose varieties. These lighter wines are much fruitier and carry sweeter flavors than some types of red, with higher tannins producing a bitter, astringent taste.

This guide will take you through all the best wine choices for people who don’t like wine and soon question why you have ever opted for anything but!

Best White Wines (for People Who Don’t Like Wine)

#1. Moscato

A sweet, fruity aroma makes Moscato one of the best options for non-wine lovers. Typically known for its floral undertones and mild fizz, it has little amount of alcohol, making it ideal for sipping throughout the evening.

Moscato is best served chilled, so if you are searching for a refreshing beverage during the summer months, we recommend choosing this delicate white wine.

#2. Sauvignon Blanc

A delicious glass of Sauvignon Blanc is incredibly easy on the palate. Primarily flavored with:

lime
green apple
passion fruit
white peach

The aromatic flavors are medium-bodied and tangy. Pairing wonderfully with cheese, perhaps sip on a small glass the next time you nibble on charcuterie.

#3. Riesling

A perfect introduction to the Wine Culture is testing out Resiling. Always a crowd favorite, Riesling, ranges from very dry to very sweet. Even the scent of it will allure you in as the fruity and citrus aromas waft through the air. Its strong, distinctive notes embody various tropical and citrus fruits.

The sweetness makes this choice enjoyable for everyone– from wine connoisseurs to novice wine drinkers!

sweet wine

Best Red Wines (for People Who Don’t Like Wine)

#4. Merlot

A deep, red wine like Merlot is surprisingly smooth and medium-bodied. Highly recommended for new wine drinkers, this popular choice is not too sweet.

Variations of Merlot have sugar added during the process to even out the acidity. The enticing flavors of Merlot are plum, chocolate, and vanilla.

Remember, exploring new flavors will help you grow accustomed to the many types of wine and adjust your palate to the robust taste!

#5. Red Blend

A Red Blend is precisely what it sounds like: a red wine that has been blended with another rather than from a single grape. There is a level of creativity to a blend to create a delicious final product. The sweetness can vary from wine to wine. If a sweeter wine is more enticing for someone who doesn’t like wine, then opt for a smooth Red Blend.

#6. Pinot Noir

One of the world’s most favorite light-bodied red wines, it’s known for its fruity, flowery, and spicy aromas. It can have various flavors depending on where it is grown. So, finding your favorite can take some time.

#7. Zinfandel

Have you tried everything and are still not inclined to choose a glass of red? One last option may sway your future decision-making. Zinfandel embodies intense flavors of plum, and dried cherry, followed by hints of vanilla. Even the anti-wine drinkers cannot shy away from sipping this unique flavor!

Best Sparkling Wine (for People Who Don’t Like Wine)

#8. Rose

The primary flavors of rose wine are red fruit, flowers, citrus, and melon, topped off with rhubarb and celery notes. Most notably recognized as one of the sweetest wines, it surprisingly comes in dry options as well.

Pairing wonderfully with your gal’s brunch all the way to being served with a spiced aromatic cuisine. The versatility of this wine always allows there to be an opportunity to try it!

#9. Prosecco

It’s hard to go wrong with a glass of Prosecco. You might even forget that you’re drinking wine! Prosecco, most commonly embodying a sweet flavor, exudes notes of green apple, pears, peaches, honey, and flowers. A bubbly beverage like is the perfect choice for celebratory events or sprucing up your favorite mimosa.

#10. Sparkling Rosé

Growing increasingly popular, the sparkling rosé has taken center stage. Sprucing up your wine with an effervescent bottle can transform your take on it. The perfect amount of sweetness matched with the floral and fruitful takes a typical bottle of rosé to the next level. Once you try it, it will be difficult not to enjoy a glass in the future.

#11. Champagne

One of the sweetest bottles you can get is Champagne Doux. The highest level of sweetness is Doux, whereas the lowest amount of sugar is Brut Nature. We suggest choosing one on the sweeter end as a beginner. Having the perfect champagne flute filled with rich flavors of apple, pear, citrus, cream, or vanilla will soon be irresistible.

How to Hold a Wine Glass (Advice from Experts)

Posted December 26, 2022 by Grace Weston

Clutching your glass of wine like a steaming cup of hot cocoa may seem tempting, but we suggest you stray away from that method.

You can drink your beer out of a teacup or hide your Dr. Pepper in your water bottle, and no one will suspect a thing, but there’s a method to the madness of holding a wine glass (and it’s not that mad). Long story short, hold it by its stem.

Nowadays, you can grab a wine glass at the dollar store, and it’ll do the job just fine. To be historically correct, the wine glass was first made in Venice in 1400 when glass blowing was first invented. The bowl of the wine glass is a sacred space for the wine to settle and swirl. Heaven forbid you disrupt this magic by holding your wine glass by the bowl; the ultimate sin in the world of wine.

The proper approach to holding a wine glass is quite simple. Here is all you need to know to become a seasoned wine expert!

Why Proper Wine Etiquette Matters

Is anyone at a party or dinner really watching your wine-holding technique with the wine police on speed dial? Wine etiquette is a lot more important than you might think, it’s not just for show.

Think of it this way: would you put cheap wheels on your expensive car? Probably not, because it would decrease the value and drive of the car. The same goes for wine; how you handle it can affect the whole experience.

Enhances the Flavor

You thought swirling was left in dance class, huh? Well, swirling wine has been a tradition for ages because it lets the wine breathe (aerate, to be correct) and enhances the smell! Fun fact, taste is perceived more by smell than by taste buds!

Preserves the Temperature

Your hands emit heat, which can alter the temperature of the wine. You may not notice the difference a few temperatures can make, but the experts say that the perfect wine temperature stays between 62 and 68 degrees! (Make sure to store the wine correctly, too!)

The Perfect Amount

The right pour allows your wine just enough space to swirl around and refill a few times before getting too tipsy! A glass filled to the brim can easily spill, and heaven forbid you get red wine on your white shirt! Fill your glass a little less than halfway; 5 to 6 ounces is just right.

How to Hold a Wine Glass (With a Stem)

When sipping on Chardonnay, from Bordeaux to Pinot Noir, the variety of glasses to choose from is endless. There are three main types of wine glasses: full-bodied (or Bordeaux), medium-bodied, and light-bodied (or Burgundy).

Just remember, the less contact with the glass the better! Avoid the bowl of the wine glass like a groom avoids his crazy mother-in-law. Finally, choose a soft grip; after all, we’re drinking wine, not rock climbing.

Thumb and forefinger: Grasp the lower region of the stem with your thumb and forefinger while the other fingers rest on the base.
Pinch the stem: Pinch the stem just above the base with your thumb and pointer finger. Use your other fingers to support the base of the glass.
Pinch at the base: Use your thumb and forefinger to grip the glass around where the stem and base meet.

How to Hold a Stemless Wine Glass

While a traditional wine glass is ideal, you may have to use a stemless wine glass in a pinch. After being warned never to hold a wine glass by the bowl, you might be confused when it comes to stemless wine glasses.

Whatever you do, don’t clutch your glass like a baseball. Hold it with your thumb, index finger, and middle finger. Let the rest of your fingers rest gently on the base of the glass underneath the cup.

This technique will keep your wine at the right temperature, and it directs any smudges to the bottom of the glass rather than leaving fingerprints along the rim!

Is There an “Ideal” Way to Hold a Wine Glass?

Of all the acceptable options, choose the one that feels the most comfortable.

After all, confidence is the best way to hold a wine glass. You will surely impress all your friends and family when you show them how to hold a glass and why wine etiquette matters.

7 Wine Tips [To Keep You From Making a Fool of Yourself ]

Posted December 2, 2022 by Grace Weston

Considering you’re reading about wine tips, you’ve probably noticed that wine is a culture of its own. Some people even go through formal training to become certified wine connoisseurs. Others join wine clubs to make friends and enjoy fine wines. It can be easy to feel like a fool when it comes to wine etiquette, but we are here to keep you from embarrassing yourself!

Wine Tips #1: purchase some fine wine for yourself and your friends, or make a reservation at a nice restaurant.

Second, get some training.

Here is your 5-minute informal wine training on us!

How To Talk About Wine

In the world of wine, language is key. Whether you’re ordering a glass of wine or explaining what your wine tastes like to friends, you can easily make a fool of yourself with the words you choose. So be careful! These 7 terms will make you sound like a wine connoisseur.

Wine Tips #2: Use the right language

“Tannin”

Tannin refers to the bitterness of the wine. Typically red wines are more tannic than white wines. If you’re looking for a sweeter wine, you could ask the waiter, “what is your least tannic wine?”

“Dry”

“Dry” also works to replace the adjective “bitter.” Whatever you do, don’t say “spicy!”

“Terroir”

Terroir refers to the soil and climate where wine is produced. To sound intelligent, you could ask, “what is the terroir of this wine?” instead of, “where is this wine from?”

“Sommelier”

A sommelier is a wine expert who serves, suggests, and selects wines at restaurants.

“Nose”

Nose refers to the smell of wine. When tasting wine with friends, you can use adjectives like “expressive,” “lively,” “sharp,” or “leathery.” Your middle school English teacher would be so proud.

“Hot”

Hot is used to describe a wine that has a high level of alcohol. The range of alcohol levels in wine range from 5% to 24%!

“Closed”

A “closed” wine is a wine that isn’t releasing any aroma. If you can’t smell the wine, you either suffer from anosmia or the wine has sat for years without any oxygen.

How To Drink Wine The Right Way

If you aren’t too overwhelmed by your new set of vocabulary words, here are a few more wine tips. Now that you don’t sound like a fool let’s make sure you don’t look like a fool.

Wine Tips #3: Hold Your Glass By The Stem

Classy lifestyle

In the wine world, the temperature is very important. When you hold your glass by the body of the glass, the heat from your fingers can warm the wine.

To avoid changing the temperature of the wine and looking like a fool, pinch the stem between your thumb and index/middle fingers. Just don’t drop it!

Wine Tips #4: Smell And Taste The Wine

Wine isn’t just a way to get tipsy, it’s a lifestyle and a hobby. If you want to appreciate wine to its fullest, just remember this acronym: LIST

Look at it
Inhale it (or smell it, but that doesn’t work for the acronym)
Swirl it
Taste it

How To Open Wine

Man opening a wine bottle with a corkscrew

Wine Tips #5: Open the Wine Bottle Correctly

If you’re at a restaurant, usually the sommelier will open the wine bottle for you, but if you’re at home, you will need a corkscrew. It would be embarrassing if you invited a bunch of people over and had to open your wine bottle with a key or a screwdriver. Although it can be done, our wine connoisseur forefathers would shake their heads in disappointment.

Press the corkscrew into the cork and twist the BOTTLE while holding the cork in place.

Keep the cork so you can preserve any leftover wine.

How To Serve Wine

Wine Tips #6: Fill the Wine Glass to the Right Amount

The key is to not overfill or underfill the glass.

Follow these amounts to serve wine properly:

Champagne: 5 ounces, or 2/3rds of a glass
White Wine: 3 ounces, or 1/3rd of a glass
Red Wine: 4 ounces, or 1/2 of a glass

How To Store Wine

Wine Tips #7: Store your Wine Correctly!

After buying a nice bottle of wine, you need to store it properly.

Store your wine horizontally, ideally on a wine rack, although you can get creative.

Keep your wine in a cool, dark place between 50-59 degrees.

How Many Bottles in a Case of Wine? (2023 Guide for Party Planning)

Posted December 2, 2022 by Grace Weston

Wondering how many bottles in a case of wine? As you set up for your big party, whether it be an upcoming birthday bash or girls’ night soiree, you definitely do not want to run out of the night’s signature drink – a large glass of wine. Figuring out how many cases of wine to get can be a pretty tricky endeavor. Lucky for you, we are here to help!

Don’t forget to brush up on youre wine etiquette by reminding yourself of the most important wine tips and tricks!

There are countless ways to mix and match your wine, so deciding all this can get a little overwhelming. Although it is challenging to gauge the amount of wine your guests will consume, this guide will make all of your wine decisions easy. We can guarantee that your parties are always a hit, and no one has an empty glass!

How Many Bottles In a Case of Wine

A standard bottle of wine houses 750 ml, and a standard case of wine holds 12 bottles. This amounts to around 9 liters of wine in one case. A bottle of wine can roughly fill 5-6 generous glasses, meaning each case holds 60 servings of wine.

It is not guaranteed that the size of the bottle will be 750 ml, so it’s a great idea to check beforehand with your seller as to which size you will be receiving. Planning and ordering your wine ahead of time can save you heaps of trouble during the party prep. If you leave purchasing your wine to the last minute, you risk buying the wrong amount for your gathering and running out early in the evening.

Why You Should Buy Wine in Cases

When considering buying large quantities of wine, there is usually a justification for doing so. We have plenty of reasons why you should say yes.

Save Money!

When it comes to planning a large party, it is smart to try and save in every way you can. Ultimately, ordering wine in cases will save you some extra cash. A few cases should tie you over for the night of festivities.

Gift On The Go

It has happened to the best of us– you’re headed to a last-minute get-together with friends or a dinner party with your neighbors, and you realize you have nothing to bring. Grabbing a bottle from your case offers a quick alternative to the embarrassing situation of showing up empty-handed. It’s the perfect last-minute save that makes for a thoughtful gift.

Smart Investment of Time and Money

Typically, retailers will provide a nice discount ranging from 10-15% if you purchase a case of wine. Retailers even allow you to purchase a mixed case at a discount, which means that you don’t have to buy 12 bottles of the same wine. Buying in bulk is a very smart investment for both your time and money!

How Many Cases Should You Buy

The impending question awaits, how much wine do you really need? To keep the guest list organized for your event, consider setting an RSVP deadline in order to determine the number of attendees at your party. A good guideline to follow is to plan for three glasses of wine for each person for a three-hour cocktail party.

Here’s a helpful guide to calculating how many cases you need:

50-75 guests – around 38 bottles, or 3 cases
75-100 guests – around 50 bottles, or 4 cases
100-125 guests – around 63 bottles, or 5 cases plus 3 bottles
125-150 guests – around 75 bottles, or 6 cases plus 3 bottles
150-200 guests– around 100 bottles, or 8 cases plus 3 bottles

It’s never a bad idea to have a few bottles extra to leave room for a couple of heavy drinkers. You will be happy you had enough, and they will be delighted by your generosity!

Wine gathered around table

What Wine To Buy For A Party

There is a vast variety of wines to choose from, and it is difficult to predict the preferences of your guests (every guest will have different tastes and preferences). So we recommend purchasing a variety of types including red, white, and sparkling. It won’t do your guests any good to buy all red wine. A nice variety will keep everyone pleased!

Best Way to Fill a Case of Wine

A fantastic way to start your selection would be to have:

5 bottles of Red Wines
5 bottles of White Wines
2 bottles of Sparkling Wines

If you want to build a great mixed case, begin by selecting different styles and grape varieties. It’s important to ensure that there are options for everyone’s palette.

Include bold, vibrant choices like a Cabernet Sauvignon, and opt for some lighter, sweet wines such as Riesling. And don’t forget the sparkling ones! Your guests will surely be impressed by the plethora of options and won’t want to miss your next celebration.