How Long Should You Take To Drink A Glass Of Wine?

Suppose you are new to sampling wines and find yourself wondering how long it should take to drink a glass of wine? Perhaps you have been enjoying wine for years and have recently wondered if you are taking ample time to thoroughly enjoy that glass of red wine. We've researched these wine-related questions and have found informative results to share with you!

Generally, it takes about 35-45 minutes to drink one glass of wine at a reasonable pace, allowing time to savor the wine's robust flavors and undertones. One glass of wine is usually five to six ounces and requires approximately 30 minutes for the human body to metabolize the chemical compounds to feel the effects. Drinking more than one drink per hour is not advisable by medical professionals due to the potential for liver damage. 

Are you interested in learning more about the proper methods to drink wine? Or maybe how long you can expect to feel the effects of that glass of wine during a night out on the town? Please continue reading; we have ample information to share with you regarding the fascinating world of wine!

Pouring red wine into a wine glass, How Long Should You Take To Drink A Glass Of Wine?

How long should you take to drink a glass of wine?

Wine tasters should sip wine at a slow pace; never hurry a glass of wine. Leisure and wine have often been linked through many cultures and throughout culinary history. For best results, vigorously swirl the wine in the wine glass a few times, then allow the wine to breathe for 10-15 minutes to absorb oxygen, release tannins, and smooth any harsh flavors.

Once the prior steps are accomplished, begin to sip the wine, making a mental note of what time you started drinking to avoid over-drinking or consuming the glass quicker than the other wine tasters at your gathering. Generally, 35 to 40 minutes or an hour is the industry suggested time allotment for consuming one five to six-ounce glass of wine.

Curious if expensive wine glasses are worth the investment? Click here to read our article that examines this topic! 

Pouring red wine from bottle into glass with wooden wine casks on background

What Is The Proper Way To Drink Wine?

When embarking on the adventure of wine tastings, begin with the most basic component, the wine glass. Several variations are on the marketplace. To get started and facilitate a classic look in your wine cabinet, start your wine glass collection by purchasing the standard wine glass. These standard glasses will accommodate nearly any occasion or type of wine with a crisp aesthetic.

Click here to view standard wine glasses at Amazon.

Also, ensure that you have a wine opener in your kitchen.

Click here to view a wine opener at Amazon.

Red wine

Red wine pairs beautifully with red meats. The lighter red wines meld with poultries and freshwater fish. Also, darker red wines are brilliant when paired with roasted beef, cured meats, or hearty kinds of pasta. The best advice for consuming red wine is to start with reading the labels of your local wine market and double-check that you are choosing a wine that will pair well with your dinner menu.

Firstly, open the bottle and pour the wine to the 1/3 level in your wine glasses. Consider using wine glasses with taller bodies that allow more room for the red wine to breathe. While pouring, examine the density of the body of the wine. Does it have sediments? What is the color like, bright or light reds? Make mental notes of these visual aspects to build your wine taster's repertoire.

Secondly, smell the wine after the wine has had 10-15 minutes or longer to breathe. Please take note of the scent, how it morphs as the wine breathes.

Thirdly, taste the wine. Swirl it around in your mouth. Contemplate the texture, the subtle undertones, and hints of flavors. Does it have a sweet or strong flavor?

Rosé wine

Rosé wine has been a staple for hot summer afternoon occasions and evening social events. For decades, rosé wines have been incredibly versatile, becoming the key ingredient for chilled wine coolers, gummies, punches, and popsicles.

The proper way to serve rosé wine is chilled at approximately 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit; for best results, place the rosé wine in the refrigerator several hours before serving. If this is not possible, set it in the freezer for 30 minutes. Remember to set a reminder on your phone to prevent the wine from accidentally freezing.

Also, serve the rosé in diamond-shaped wine glasses or glasses specifically designed to keep the rosé wine cool while allowing the sweet aromas to travel beyond the glasses.

Click here to view Spiegelau rosé wine glasses at Amazon.

White wine

White wine is a traditional staple, with common choices including Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc. They pair well with fish, poultry, and roasted vegetables. The best method to serve white wines is to ensure they are chilled to the correct temperature before serving dinner. The ideal temperature for white wines is between 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit; colder than those temperatures will negatively impact the flavor of the wine.

For best results, serve the white wine chilled to the correct temperature in smaller bowled wine glasses. The bowled design helps maintain the cooler temperature while balancing the acidity levels to achieve the best taste possible while preserving the delicate floral aroma. Allow the white wine to breathe 10-15 minutes before drinking with dinner or hors d'oeuvres.

Click here to view Bormioli Rocco white wine glasses at Amazon.

Wondering if wine glasses are dishwasher safe? Click here to read our article that details this topic. 

How Long Does The Effect Of A Glass Of Wine Last?

According to Healthline, alcohol is a depressant with a relatively short lifespan in the human body before the liver and other organs metabolize it fully. Once the alcohol has reached your bloodstream, your body will metabolize it at a rate of 20 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) per hour.

Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is measured based on the percentages of alcohol and water present in the bloodstream. Several factors can affect BAC, such as age, weight, medications, liver diseases, and amount of alcohol consumed. On average, the human body needs three hours to process one glass of wine fully. However, the alcohol may be processed in the body, but the mental side effects could still be persistent.

Pouring red wine into the glass

When Is The Best Time To Drink Wine?

The best time to drink wine has morphed throughout history as it has ebbed and flowed with the cultural norms of society. There are two ideal times of day that are deemed best to drink wine in today's modern world. Wine enthusiast and presenter of ITV program The Wine Show, Joe Fattorini, states that choosing the best times of day for tasting wine does not pair with traditional meal times.

The best time of day for wine tasters to drink wine is between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. because your mouth is considerably drier, and saliva won't inhibit the tastes of the wines. Moreover, this is directed to professional or avid hobby wine tasters.

Fattorini suggests that non-professional wine tasters drink wine between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. because your appetite is more vibrant, and the taste of the wines paired with foods is most memorable at dinnertime.

Additional thoughts

Wine tastings are fun social events that can be an adventure with many possible avenues to explore with friends and family. Do be mindful that wine does contain alcohol which will inhibit your mental faculties and physical capabilities. Keep the following in mind:

  • Appoint a designated driver before going out
  • Always drink responsibly, and if in doubt, get a safe ride home via a trusted friend or taxi
  • Check-in with friends while you are out
  • Do not drink if you are pregnant or nursing
  • Don't leave drinks unattended in public places
  • Eat food when drinking
  • Taking medications? Consult your doctor or pharmacists to discuss any potential drug interactions with alcohol
  • Keep all alcohol products away from children and pets
  • Do not operate any machines or vehicles with alcohol present in the body
  • Never drink and drive
  • Never accept drinks from people you do not know

In closing

Wine tastings can be a fun pastime for friends and family to gather for a few laughs, sips, and snacks when done so in a responsible matter. Always be mindful of the kind of wine and how many glasses are safe to consume for you and your guests. Please visit kitchenseer.com soon for more relevant and informative content!

Please, be sure to check out some of our other posts to help further your culinary and wine-related knowledge base:

How Many Wine And Cocktail Glasses Should You Have?

How To Store Wine And Cocktail Glasses

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *