Wine Etiquette: Tasting Wine At A Restaurant

The purpose of the host tasting wine before it is poured at a restaurant is to ensure that there is no oxidation or sulfur in the wine – in other words to make sure the wine is not spoiled. It is not an opportunity to send back a perfect bottle of wine just because you do not like it. When in doubt about the quality of the wine, ask for a second opinion from someone at the table or the sommelier.