IMO, that would be a terrible injustice if they made wine pairings mandatory in the future. I do not drink alcohol of any kind, for me it's by choice, for others perhaps they are recovering alcoholics; Either way, there are some people who just prefer not to drink (no attack on those who do). We had a fantastic meal at V&A's this past fathers day in the Queen Victoria Room and did not take the option of the wine pairings. I'm really hoping to do the QVR again next year for my wife and my 30th wedding anniversary but will be very disappointed if it's mandatory for the wine pairing (or paying for it). I'm sure there are some who would say, "you can dine in the main dining room", or might say, "it's their rodeo their rules". This would be true, but I would be very disappointed if I could not experience this again because I am not a person who drinks alcoholic beverages.