When opening a bottle of wine why should the be left facing customer?

There's no hard and fast rule that a wine bottle *must* be left facing the customer when opening it. However, there are a few reasons why many servers and sommeliers choose to do this:

* Courtesy and Respect: It's generally considered good etiquette to present the bottle to the customer before opening it, as a gesture of respect and to allow them to confirm it's the correct wine.

* Clarity and Transparency: It shows the customer the label and allows them to see the wine's color and clarity, especially if they're unfamiliar with the specific wine.

* Safety and Control: Holding the bottle facing the customer allows for better control during the cork removal, preventing any potential accidents like spills or the cork flying across the table.

* Visual Engagement: It creates a more engaging experience for the customer, as they can be part of the process and appreciate the ritual of opening a bottle of wine.

Important Note: While facing the customer is generally a good practice, it's not always feasible. In crowded or cramped settings, or if the server needs to focus on safely opening the bottle, they might choose to position themselves differently.