The answers to these questions reveal some curiosities that, we are sure, will be able to surprise you and capture your attention. Continue reading to find out more.

Why should you NOT pour wine with the left hand?

Foto di Nicky da Pixabay

According to one of the most important rules of wine etiquette: “wine is served from the right (with respect to the diner) with the right hand”. The question arises spontaneously: why not from the left with the left hand, from the right with the left hand or from the left with the right hand?

Wine etiquette dictates that glasses should be served at the table to the right of the diner. Most people are right-handed, so placing glasses to the right of the plate allows the diner to grab them more easily. Imagine being at the table with the glasses at the top right of the plate. It is clear that the right hand is the most comfortable to pick them up. If you used your left hand you would have to pass over the plate, a non-functional and very uncomfortable practice.

Furthermore, the position of the glasses is perfect with that of the fork and napkin, which are on the left, as well as the bread plate, always on the left.

Given that the wine glasses are placed on the right, why use the right and not the left to fill them? And why from the right side of the diner?

The reason why Wine Etiquette establishes that the serving hand is the right and that service must be done from the right of the diner is strictly practical. If the glasses are on the right, the wine is poured from the right so as not to disturb the diner during the service of the wine and with the right hand, the one furthest from the diner, to avoid inadvertently touching the guest.

Let's imagine the opposite situations. The wine glass is on the right and you decide to pour the wine from the left of the guest. You would have to cross and pass over the plate to reach the glass. An impractical gesture. Or you could stand to the right of the guest but use your left hand, the one closest to the guest. In this specific situation, there is the risk of disturbing and touching the guest's arm, and perhaps spilling the wine. Not very elegant.

In short, to answer the initial question: wine is NOT poured with the left hand because the left hand is NOT the most comfortable and practical hand to use, considering the arrangement of the glasses at the table in relation to the guest or the diner.

It is interesting to note that, even in the past, before the Wine Etiquette defined its own rules, the right hand was the privileged one for serving wine. Let's find out why.

Why, even in the past, was the left hand NOT used to pour wine?

The reasons that, in the past, led to the dissuasion of using the left hand for serving wine are not of a practical nature, like those of the Wine Etiquette, but are mainly linked to superstitions, prejudices and beliefs widespread in some cultures.

Both in ancient Rome and in the Middle Ages, the practice of poisoning was widespread, by pouring poison into wine glasses. The poison was hidden in special rings, to be worn on the finger, which opened at the moment of serving. It was said that poisoners used the left hand because it was the one closest to the victim and more "hidden". For this reason, those who decided to pour wine with the left were looked upon with suspicion.

Furthermore, in the symbolism and popular tradition of many cultures of the past, the left hand did not have a good consideration. Indeed, it was often associated with nefarious events. Unfortunately, due to these beliefs, left-handed people were discriminated against or marginalized, often forced to try to change their predominant hand.

For example, among the Ancient Romans, the so-called Auspicia were widespread. These were the observation of various phenomena, including the flight of birds, from which it was believed one could obtain information and predictions. Among the various beliefs, it was thought that birds coming from the left were a bad omen. Also for this reason, the left hand was not looked upon favorably and, also for this reason, already at that time, it was suggested to avoid using the left hand for serving wine.

Obviously, today these beliefs no longer exist and they no longer have any influence on the rules set by the Wine Etiquette. In short, the left hand is NOT used to serve wine just for a question of practicality and convenience of service.