What is the history behind sampling a bottle of wine before your server pours it into glasses?

Question

Where did this originate from?

Answer 1

In spite of all efforts, some bottles ( mainly of high price ) can have got a contra-aroma of cork - either because of conservation " accident " or flawed cork - this gives something as subtle as skunk, or rotten potato fragrance -

"Sample" the wine is false : if you have to test it, just make the wine whirl in the glass, and then smell it - if it smells cork you'll know it very quickly - and this in some cases can be contra-checked by the sommelier -

"Taste" the wine is clueless -

Answer 2

I think it started in England, about the year 1536, with King Henry VIII, to prevent sever from poising the king.

Answer 3

This dates back to before mass production of wine; these days you can almost guarantee that a bottle of wine from a mass producer will be okay. However the waiter lets you tast the wine first to ensure that the wine does not have a "musky", "damp", or "moldy" smell to it. Generally when the waiter brings out the bottle he should show you the label first, so that you know you're getting what you ordered, then he'll open it in front of you (once again to make sure there is no switching), and finally you get to drink.