Skip the Sample Pour: Why You Can (And Should) Ask for a Straight Pour
Let’s talk about the awkward moment when your server holds up a wine bottle, waits for you to sniff, swirl, and nod, then pours. It’s a ritual that feels forced, especially if you’re not a wine expert. The truth? You don’t have to taste the sample. In fact, you’re allowed—and maybe even encouraged—to skip the whole thing. The process is meant to verify the wine’s integrity, not to test your palate. But if it’s making you uncomfortable, you’re not alone. The sample pour serves three purposes: confirming the bottle matches your order, checking for flaws like TCA (cork taint), VA…
