Virginia Corkage

Virginia Wine Corkage

Last year a law was passed that allows you to bring your own wine into restaurants in Virginia. From the locally owned restaurant to a franchise like Outback, you have no limits. It's close to a year since the law passed and I haven't even taken advantage of it. It doesn't seem to be that advertised, known, and many stories are floating around about folks bringing wine in and being refused because the restaurant owners aren't even 100% up to speed on this.  Perhaps it's a cultural thing? Something hard to break? I am going to make a promise to myself to take advantage of this (I will even try it this weekend in Flint Hill Virginia).

Dave McIntyre's WineLine blog had a really good post about this very subject. One interesting point about the law he mentions, "for consumers, there are a few things to remember about corkage. The law allows restaurants to welcome your wine, but they are not required to do so. It is considered proper “corkage etiquette” to call ahead and inquire about the restaurant’s policy and fee, and to bring only wines the restaurant does not offer. It’s also good etiquette to purchase something – even a glass of wine – from the restaurant’s list, and if there is a sommelier, offer him or her a taste of your special wine."

Fair enough, I can call ahead.  I'll let you know how my adventure goes this weekend.