Crossword Genius

Saved extremely delicate wine cups, as it happens (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

delivered

'saved' is the definition.
(delivering is a kind of saving)

'extremely delicate wine cups as it happens' is the wordplay.
'extremely' says to hollow out the word (remove centre letters) (only the extremes of the word are used).
'wine' becomes 'red wine' (red is a type of wine).
'cups' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters are held or cupped).
'as it happens' becomes 'live' (as in live broadcasting).
'delicate' with its centre taken out is 'de'.
'de'+'red'='dered'
'dered' going around 'live' is 'DELIVERED'.

(Other definitions for delivered that I've seen before include "Rescued" , "Handed over" , "Produced new issue" , "sent to the house" , "Saved" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app