Tasting etiquette

I’ve been subscribing to your magazine for some years now and I’m compelled to write in about a pet hate. It relates to queuing etiquette at wine tastings. When a top-end producer puts on a tasting, there is invariably a long queue of excited punters with glasses in hand or a chorus line several people deep. On many occasions I have witnessed people reach the front and then believe it their right to stay there until they have sampled all the wines on offer. Meanwhile, the queue gets longer, or the chorus line thickens, exacerbated by rising anxiety among those waiting their turn. This is very bad form, and I believe we have a duty to eliminate this kind of behaviour. There should be signs on display at tasting events that explain how queuing should work, and perhaps regular articles in magazines such as yours to reinforce the need for better manners. In my mind, this is how the etiquette should work: 1. Once standing in front of the gatekeeper of wine, offer your glass so the sample can be received. 2. Once received, step away to allow the next person in. 3. If you have a question for the individual serving (completely reasonable, and an important part of the experience), limit yourself to one question per sample, then move back. If there are six varieties on offer, you will have six opportunities to ask another question. If these simple rules were followed, it would be a much more enjoyable experience for all. Kim Sampson Melbourne, VIC