The Uncorking Ritual

[Thomas]

After a few years of doing what Kc recommends, you might get to the point I have reached during the ritual. I sniff the wine and forego tasting it, the idea being that I am expereinced enough to know from sniffing if there is anything wrong with the wine, and if I checked the label beforehand, it should be what I ordered--no reason to sip, prolonging the ritual and have the waiter stand over me with the look of a scared child hoping not to be called on by the teacher.

I also abhor the ritual of the waiter racing over to my table to pour the wine for me as much as I dislike it when the waiter pours the first glass and then takes the bottle away. But then, my wife says I am quite grouchy in my dotage...