The CorkscrewThe dos and don’ts that can make or break a wine event

Like a formal dinner party, a wine event (which are extremely common in the industry and among collectors) needs careful planning and attention to detail. There’s the warm greeting; the offer to take bags and coats; then guests are directed to the reception area and, later, on to the table. You’ll (hopefully) see familiar faces and have a welcome drink handed to you.

At the table, there will be place cards or the host will direct you to a seat. For the many wine events I’ve helped organise, much thought has gone into this. A good host will seat guests with someone they know or someone who they think they should know and with whom they will have some­thing in common. Nothing is worse than seeing someone at a table with no one to chat with. Then there’s the guest who thinks it’s acceptable to swap their place card with another – an absolute no-no in any host’s book and grounds for them not to be invited back.

On sitting down, I admire how a table is set, and I like to check what kind of glasses are being used. Sparkling crystal is a good sign that someone cares about the finer nuances.

The first pour of wine at the table is the important one, as no food has yet arrived. Everyone is curious and looking forward to what that first sip will be, because it sets the tone for the meal. At dinners where there is an experienced sommelier, I like to observe how my peers work a room.