You search for information online and you find our Wine Blog and this article. Weekly, we tell you about interesting facts related to Wine Etiquette. Today, we talk about the ideal arrangement of wine glasses on the table. You have found what you were looking for. Read our short guide. You will find out where wine glasses should be placed on the table.

Where should wine glasses be placed on the table according to Wine Etiquette?

You always put your wine glasses in front of your plate, don't you? According to Wine Etiquette, there is a more precise and more elegant place where they should be placed on the table.

In this article we explain to you, in a simple and clear way, where to place wine glasses correctly on the table, especially for formal dinners or lunches and special occasions. You should also follow these rules in more informal and relaxed situations.

Wine Etiquette recommends NOT placing wine glasses in front of the plate. Placing glasses in front of the plate is a common mistake that can complicate the service and consumption of food and wine. When glasses are placed in front of the plate, the waiter or service person is forced to ‘step over’ the diner's plate to pour the wine or even touch them. This is an inelegant situation. Furthermore, a glass in front of the plate prevents diners from freely using cutlery and plate. The risk is that the glass becomes an obstacle for both the eater/drinker and the server.

For all these reasons, Wine Etiquette recommends arranging glasses in such a way that they do not interfere with the natural movement of guests and do not complicate the service of wine.

We can answer the key question of our article

WINE GLASSES SHOULD BE PLACED TO THE RIGHT OF THE PLATE, AT THE TOP, ABOVE THE KNIFE.

The glasses should be placed in the upper-right area, ‘north-east’ of the plate - if we want to use a geographical term - at such a distance that they do not interfere with the use of cutlery.

Remember that, according to Wine Etiquette, wine should be served to the right of the diner, using the right hand. Therefore, placing the glasses to the right of the plate facilitates wine service and allows the waiter to pour the wine in an elegant manner, without interfering with the guest. At the same time, the position to the right of the glass is also ideal for the diner: it allows the diner to pick up the glass without risking bumping into the plate or other glasses, making the operation more practical.

Finally, it is good to remember that the wine glass should be placed on the table together with the water glass.

● The water glass is placed first, above the knife, to the top-right of the plate.

● The wine glass is placed next to the water glass, slightly lower and to the right, forming an angle of about 45 degrees to the water glass.

If more than one type of wine is served, the wine glasses should be arranged in order of use:

● the first wine glass to be used should be placed immediately after the water glass;

● followed by the other wine glasses, arranged in descending order, always slightly lower and to the right of the glass preceding it.

Follow our tips for setting your table!