Where do wine glasses go on the table? The correct position explained

Wine glasses are placed to the right, above the knife. This is the basic rule for a set table, both at home and in hospitality. However, anyone placing multiple glasses on the table, wishing to add a water glass, or combining a champagne flute with a red and white wine glass, needs more information than this single rule. The position of each glass has a logic that is both practical and aesthetic.

The basic rule: to the right, above the knife

The wine glass is always placed to the right of the plate, above the knife. The base of the glass should be two to three centimeters from the top of the knife. Not too far to the right, so the glass doesn't hang over the edge of the table, and not too close to the plate, ensuring there's room to move without knocking the glass.

The reason for this position is practical: most people are right-handed and hold the glass with their right hand. Placing the glass on the right means you don't have to reach over the plate or cutlery. In restaurants and at formal dinners, this position is standard worldwide.

Multiple glasses: what order?

For a dinner with multiple wines, there will also be multiple glasses on the table. The classic arrangement works from right to left in order of use. The glass used first is placed furthest to the right. The glass used later is placed to its left.

For a three-course dinner with champagne as an aperitif, white wine with the starter, and red wine with the main course, the arrangement looks like this:

Position	Glass	Moment
Right	Champagne flute	Aperitif
Middle	White wine glass	Starter
Left	Red wine glass	Main course

An alternative arrangement is the arc shape: the glasses are placed in a slight curve, with the largest glass at the back and the smaller glasses in front. This looks tidier if the glasses differ greatly in size and prevents a large red wine glass from blocking the view of the other glasses.

Where does the water glass go?

The water glass is placed to the left of the wine glass or slightly further back, shifted slightly to the left. Water is refilled less often than wine and is therefore positioned a little further from the immediate reach zone. For an informal table with only water and one wine, you can also place the water glass behind the wine glass to keep the arrangement compact.

At a formal table with multiple glasses, the water glass is typically placed to the left of the line of wine glasses, slightly further back. This clearly distinguishes between the wine and water glasses without making the table look cluttered.

How far from the table edge?

Glasses are never placed on the edge of the table. A margin of five to ten centimeters from the table edge prevents glasses from being knocked over when someone sits down or stands up. At a table with children, a bit more margin is advisable. Also ensure that the glasses are not so far towards the center that guests cannot easily reach them without reaching over their plate.

Arrangement for an informal table

For an informal meal at home, the rules are less strict. One glass per person is often sufficient, placed to the right, above the knife or cutlery. If no cutlery is on the table, to the right, above where the plate will be, is the logical position. The main thing is that the glass is easy to grasp without having to reach over the food.

For an informal dinner without an elaborately set table, you can also place the glasses in the center of the table next to a carafe, so everyone can pour their own. This has a cozy, relaxed character that is missing from a formal arrangement. View Mémoire's collection of carafes for models that look good on a set table.

Arrangement for a formal dinner

At a formal dinner, stricter rules apply. The glasses are in a fixed order, the distances are uniform, and the arrangement is symmetrical for all guests. A carafe is not placed on the table at a formal dinner: the wine is poured by the host or a waiter from the bottle or carafe that is placed separately. Glasses are kept topped up and replaced as soon as a new wine is served.

For those wishing to set a formal table, it is also worthwhile to look at how wine glasses are placed on the table in combination with cutlery and tableware. Read more in how to place wine glasses on the table.

Which glasses do you use for which wine?

The position of the glass is related to the type of glass you use. Red wine glasses are larger and rounder than white wine glasses. Champagne flutes are narrow and tall. The correct glass for each wine not only gives a sophisticated impression but also has a functional effect on how the wine tastes and smells. You can read more about which glass suits which wine in which wine glasses suit which wine.

Combining wine glasses with a carafe

A carafe on the table is suitable for an informal or semi-formal dinner. The carafe is placed in the center of the table or slightly to the side so that everyone can reach it. At a formal dinner, the carafe is placed separately. A carafe and matching wine glasses in the same style give the table a cohesive look. View Mémoire's collection of wine glasses and decanters for sets that go well together.