Cellar law

In a wine cellar, there are a number of rules of etiquette on how to behave correctly. In many old wine cellars, this is often humorously displayed in rhyme on signs in the entrance area. In the old days, there were also penalties for non-compliance with the rules, which were usually articulated in the form of prohibitions. The sinner was placed over an empty barrel by the cellar master or cellar servant and the extended back was beaten with the "cellar knife" or "band knife" (an old craft tool used by coopers). Although the prohibitions vary somewhat from place to place, knocking on the barrels (to check the fill level ), swearing, shouting, singing, smoking and drinking (excessive wine consumption) are all frowned upon.

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Cellar law

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