It is not necessarily bad practice to decline tasting the wine when offered by your waiter, but it is a common and accepted practice in many dining situations. Tasting the wine is an opportunity to ensure that it meets your expectations and is not flawed or spoiled.
The main reasons why wine tasting is offered in restaurants are:
To check for flaws: Sometimes, wines can be corked (contaminated by a faulty cork) or otherwise flawed, which affects their taste and quality. Tasting the wine allows you to identify any issues before it is poured for everyone at the table.
To verify the wine selection: If you ordered a specific wine from the menu, tasting it ensures that you received the correct bottle and vintage you chose.
To ensure the wine suits your preference: Wine preferences can be subjective, and tasting the wine gives you the opportunity to ensure it aligns with your taste before committing to a full glass.
However, if you trust the establishment and the waiter's expertise or have no specific concerns about the wine, you can politely decline the tasting. Some people may be more familiar with certain wines or are simply comfortable letting the sommelier or waiter make the decision for them.
In such cases, your response of "No thank you, I'm sure it will be fine" is polite and acceptable. The waiter will likely pour the wine for you and proceed with serving the rest of the table.
If you are unsure or unfamiliar with the wine selection, it's perfectly acceptable to ask the waiter for a brief description of the wine or for their recommendation. This allows you to make a more informed decision about tasting it or selecting an alternative.
Overall, while tasting wine is a common practice in dining establishments, it is not obligatory. Politeness and respect for your preferences should guide your response in such situations.