Have you ever wondered: what’s the ideal height for holding your glass in a toast? How high should you lift your wine glass when toasting? What height does the Wine Etiquette recommend to keep the gesture elegant?

It may seem like an insignificant detail, but in reality it’s a small nuance that can make the difference between an elegant toast and a less refined one. Keep reading our article to discover what etiquette says about the proper height at which you should hold your glass during a toast.

How high to raise your glass during a toast: a practical guide to wine etiquette

The Wine Etiquette doesn’t overlook a single detail of the toast: every gesture, even the smallest, is carefully and thoughtfully regulated. So it shouldn’t surprise you that there are precise guidelines on how high to hold your glass during a toast.

Raising your glass isn’t just an aesthetic gesture: when done correctly, it conveys respect and attention toward your fellow diners. A small movement capable of expressing elegance and engagement.

Now it’s time to reveal this little-known rule from the Wine Etiquette.

At what height should you raise your glass during a toast?

Let’s get straight to the point: according to the Wine Etiquette, during a toast the glass should be raised to eye level.

After the words of goodwill, all participants should lift their glasses to this height, tilt them slightly toward the other diners without clinking and then bring the glass to their lips to sip the wine.

It’s a simple gesture, but, as we’ll see, one full of meaning, capable of turning an ordinary toast into an elegant, harmonious, convivial and shared moment.

At this point, you might be wondering: why, during a toast, should the glass be raised exactly to eye level?

Let’s find out.

Why, during a toast, should the glass be raised to eye level?

The glass should be raised to eye level because:

• Promotes eye contact

A toast is a moment of genuine connection between people. Raising the glass to eye level encourages natural eye contact with the other diners, making the gesture more engaging and meaningful.

Creating this eye contact is a fundamental part of the toast: according to etiquette, it’s not the glasses that should meet, but the gazes. Raising the glass to eye level makes this gesture spontaneous and immediate.

Locking eyes with those you are toasting with conveys emotional involvement in the moment. A simple gesture, yet incredibly powerful, it strengthens the sense of togetherness and helps create a warmer, more convivial and engaging atmosphere.

• Conveys a sense of elegance and balance

Eye level represents the perfect line of balance, as it allows for a measured, harmonious movement, never extreme, neither in the sense of excess and ostentation, nor in the sense of minimal participation.

Raising the glass to eye level eliminates both extremes, creating a gesture that is more composed and refined.

• A sign of mutual respect

Raising the glass to eye level symbolically puts you on the same level as the other diners, creating a moment of equality and shared experience.

It is a coordinated movement that unites all participants, turning the toast into a collective and harmonious act. When everyone follows this rule, each person feels part of a special moment, showing respect and consideration for those sharing the table.

Why not raise the glass too low or too high during a toast?

After explaining why eye level is ideal, it’s important to understand why Wine Etiquette advises against raising the glass too low or too high.

• Too Low

During a toast, you shouldn’t hold the glass too low because keeping the glass below eye level can make the gesture appear distracted or disengaged. The toast risks seeming lacking in enthusiasm and involvement, as if the participant is not fully taking part in the shared moment. In formal settings, this can be perceived as a lack of attention or care toward the other diners.

• Too High

During a toast, you shouldn’t hold the glass too high because raising it above eye level can make the gesture appear theatrical or ostentatious. Such a movement might distract the other diners from the convivial moment and reduce the naturalness of the interaction among participants.

Did you know this detail from toast etiquette? From now on, don’t forget to follow this simple rule, it will always help you make a great impression.