Corkage Etiquette
It is increasingly customary in many parts of the country for restaurants to extend corkage policies for patrons whom wish to bring their own wine.
Proper Corkage Etiquette in Restaurants
However, this is not the case everywhere, (especially on the East Coast), and proper wine etiquette dictates that several things should be kept in mind to avoid a potentially embarrassing situation.
Always call the restaurant in advance to verify that corkage is allowed. Also ask what the fee is to avoid any surprises. In my experience, very few restaurants charge over $20 as a corkage fee. Some restaurants will waive this fee if an additional bottle is purchased from the wine list, but do not assume that this is always the case.
Wine brought to a restaurant should be relatively unique or rare, and definitely should not appear on the restaurant’s wine list. After the waiter/sommelier opens and pours the contents, proper wine etiquette dictates that you offer them a taste. Following these guidelines will ensure that both you and the restaurant staff are happy.
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