Dining Guide / Table Setting

Where the Glasses Go

Glasses sit at the upper right, above the knives. The water glass directly above the knife anchors the group, and the wine glasses follow to its right in order of use.

Close-up of the glasses at the upper right of a place setting: the knives at the front, a large water glass above them, a red wine glass to its right, and a white wine glass furthest right and slightly forward.
  1. Water glass — Directly above the knife — go by position, not size. You use it throughout the meal.
  2. Red wine — Often paired with the meat course, so it comes after the white.
  3. White wine — Furthest right and slightly forward: used first, with the earlier courses.
  4. Knives (glasses sit above) — Your glasses always line up above the knives, at the upper right.

Key Points

  1. Glasses sit at the upper right of the plate, above the knives. Yours are always on your right.
  2. The water glass sits directly above the knife, with the wine glasses to its right in order of use. It’s often a large goblet, but some red wine glasses are bigger, so go by position.
  3. The glass you use first is typically furthest to the right, slightly closer to you.
  4. The server pours the wine, so leave your glass on the table.

Do

Avoid

Handy Tip

Not sure which glass is yours? Follow the tip of your knife upward — the glasses above it are yours.

Practice in a Lesson