As wine enthusiasts and gourmands alike know, the right bottle can significantly enhance a dining experience. While many restaurants offer extensive wine lists, sometimes you may wish to bring a particular vintage from your own collection. This is where the concept of Bring Your Own Bottle (BYOB) comes into play.

However, bringing your own bottle to a restaurant isn&#39;t as simple as just walking in with it under your arm. There are certain etiquettes that need to be followed &ndash; after all, you wouldn&rsquo;t walk into an eatery carrying your own chicken! Here&rsquo;s everything you need to know about making the most out of BYOB while respecting both restaurant policies and good manners.

1. Call Ahead or Check Corkage Policies:

Before planning on bringing your own bottle, call ahead or check online if the restaurant allows it at all. Many establishments have their corkage policy listed on their website; also check the CorkRules app as we&rsquo;ve begun collecting that information.

2. Understand What Corkage Entails:

Corkage refers to the fee charged by restaurants when guests bring their own wine bottles instead of purchasing from them directly - essentially charging for opening and serving someone else&#39;s beverage within their establishment.

This cost varies widely depending upon location and type of venue but typically ranges between $10-$75 per bottle.

3. Look at Wine List Beforehand:

One unwritten rule about BYOB is not bringing something already available on the restaurant&#39;s menu &ndash; this can be perceived as disrespectful towards their curated selection.

Therefore always look over an establishment&rsquo;s wine list before deciding what you will carry along. If the wine you are brought is on the list, buy the wine from the restaurant.

4. The Age Factor Matters:

Typically older wines which have been aged appropriately are preferred when opting for BYOB because they might not be readily available in most restaurants due its high storage costs involved in ageing wines properly.

5. Bring a Bottle, Buy a Bottle:

A polite way to approach BYOB is by also purchasing a bottle from the restaurant&#39;s list. This not only supports their business but can lead to an exciting opportunity for pairing different wines with your meal. You could also consider pre/post cocktails as well.

6. Don&rsquo;t Bring Cheap Wine:

While there&rsquo;s no need to break the bank, it&rsquo;s generally considered bad form to bring very cheap wine when opting for BYOB. The idea behind bringing your own bottle is usually about sharing something special that isn&#39;t readily available in most restaurants.

7. Share Your Wine:

If you have brought along an exceptional or unusual vintage, consider offering a taste of it to the sommelier or chef if they are interested. They will appreciate this gesture and may even provide additional insights into its characteristics.

8. Tip Generously:

When calculating gratuity at the end of your meal, be sure to tip as though you had purchased the wine directly from them assuming service was good. After all, staff still took time and effort serving and attending on your brought beverage just like any other drink ordered off their menu.

&nbsp;

BYOB offers patrons an avenue through which they can personalize their dining experience while enjoying some of their favorite vintages in new settings. However remember - with privilege comes responsibility; therefore always ensure that you&#39;re being respectful towards both establishment policies and general etiquette when deciding on bringing along your own bottle! #drinkwhatyoulove

As wine enthusiasts and gourmands alike know, the right bottle can significantly enhance a dining experience. While many restaurants offer extensive wine lists, sometimes you may wish to bring a particular vintage from your own collection. This is where the concept of Bring Your Own Bottle (BYOB) comes into play.

The Art of BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) to Restaurants: Etiquette, Tips and Guidelines

Navigating the wine list at a restaurant can be a daunting task, as many wine lovers have experienced. In our previous article on the tension of ordering wine at restaurants, we discussed this issue and shared some tips to help ease the process. However, one CorkRules user has recently encountered a situation that highlights just how challenging it can be.

The Switch? – #restaurantfail #winelistfail

Memorial Day weekend signals the official kick-off to summer, and what better way to celebrate than a backyard barbecue with friends and family? But for the wine lovers out there, the usual pairing of burgers and beer can feel a little, well, uninspired.

Fear not, fellow geeks! Let's ditch the predictable and dive into three exciting wine options that will have you sipping and savoring alongside the sizzling BBQ.

Memorial Day BBQ Bash: 3 Wines to Geek Out Over (While Grilling)

What is the right price for a bottle of wine at a restaurant? Wine pricing at restaurants is a hot topic of late but has many complexities. Let's dig into it and better understand the issues and some potential solutions.

The tension around wine pricing at restaurants?

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a name that resonates with prestige and quality in the world of wine. This illustrious appellation is steeped in history dating back centuries and has been producing some of France's most celebrated wines for generations.



Nestled within the southern region of Rhône Valley, France lies Châteauneuf-du-Pape - translated as "the Pope's new castle". The area earned its moniker during the 14th century when it served as a summer residence for Popes who sought refuge from political turmoil in Rome.

The Rich History of Châteauneuf-du-Pape highlighting some great value wines

In the world of wine and food, we often find ourselves ensnared by ratings, stars, points – an endless parade of numbers that dictate our choices. We chase after high-rated wines or Michelin-starred restaurants with fervor only to be met with experiences that seldom live up to their lofty reputations. But amidst this whirlwind pursuit for perfection lies a simple truth - what truly makes wine and food special are not scores or accolades but pure experiences crafted from love.

The Serendipity of Experiences in Wine and Food

The world of sparkling wine is a vast one. While champagne has long been the reigning king, there's another contender that’s not only equally delicious but also offers great value for money - Cremant.

Cremant vs Champagne: The real deal for bubbles.

Omakase is experiencing a surge in popularity, let’s dig into what it is and of course what wines to drink.



 Omakase, a term that translates to "I'll leave it up to you" in Japanese, is rapidly gaining popularity in the culinary world. This dining experience places your meal entirely in the hands of the chef, who meticulously crafts each course based on seasonal ingredients and their personal creative flair. It's not just about seafood; while sushi often features prominently due to its status as a cornerstone of Japanese cuisine, an omakase menu can include anything from Wagyu beef to seasonal vegetables.

Omakase and Wine Pairing: A Booming Gastronomic Journey

California Chardonnay: it's a name synonymous with sunshine, buttery richness, and maybe even a splash of white wine envy (looking at you, Bridget Jones). But how did this grape, originally hailing from France, become a Californian icon? Buckle up, because we're diving into the world of CA Chard, from its unexpected origins to the reasons it continues to reign supreme on wine lists.

Buckle up, because we're diving into the world of CA Chard!

Forget everything you think you know about sweet, syrupy wines. Lambrusco is a sparkling red wine from Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region that’s as light and bubbly as a summer day.

Lambrusco: The Party in a Bottle You Need to Try under $25

Jeune Et Jolie

Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Jeune et Jolie in San Diego

Wine List Review of Jeune et Jolie in San Diego

Grace Hood

Jeune et Jolie

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where, in each episode,&nbsp;we will review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier. Hello Grace,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to have you!

&nbsp;

GH: Hey hey Robert!

&nbsp;

RT: Before we jump in, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules. We created CorkRules to demystify wine lists because we know from experience, that sometimes when we get that list handed to us, well&hellip; it can be intimidating, and even a little daunting.

&nbsp;

Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list, find those hidden gems, or value wines or that special bottle that will take your dining experience over the top.

&nbsp;

RT:&nbsp;So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list. So, Grace are we continuing our exploration of your adopted city of San Diego?

&nbsp;

GH: We sure are Robert! And today we&rsquo;re chatting about one of the newest fine dining spots in town that also just received a Michelin star, Jeune et Jolie! &nbsp;

&nbsp;

RT: Oh, wow that&rsquo;s exciting! They must have a killer wine list then. &nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

GH: They sure do Robert! It&rsquo;s definitely quality over quantity at this spot. They&rsquo;re concept is reimagining French cuisine through a Southern Calif&oacute;rnia lens

RT: Sounds right up your alley Grace!

&nbsp;

GH: hahah you know me too well buddy! And honestly this list is super approachable and really affordable. Really loving the whole look of it!

&nbsp;

RT: Where would you like to start us?

&nbsp;

GH: With bubbles of course! If you wanted to go with a classic champagne, they have a 2016 Rose de Mugnier from Laberte Freses, or a 2015 Blanc de noir Marie Courtin. 

&nbsp;

RT: Yum &ndash; love a champagne with some age on it. How are the whites looking?

&nbsp;

GH: Very French! So, you know I&rsquo;m in heaven haha if you wanted a light style white, I would go with classic producer, Didier Dageneau &ndash; they have a 2019 Sauvignon Blanc from Pouilly Fume which would be delish. Or if you wanted to go with something super small procution and very unique, they have a sauvginon gris which I rarely see! I love these tiny boutique style hybrid grapes, and this 2019 they have from Jean Hughes Goisset would be really interesting.

&nbsp;

RT: Wow I don&rsquo;t know the last time I had a sauvignon gris. Sounds really aromatic and refreshing. What about some heavier whites for our chardonnay fans? They must have some fabulous white Burgundies.

&nbsp;

GH: Oh, do they ever buddy. If you wanted a chablis style, they have a 2019 from the classic producer, Jean Claude Bessin. Or if you wanted a richer style, they have a 2018 Meursault from Buisson Battault.

&nbsp;

RT: That&rsquo;ll do Grace that&rsquo;ll do hahah Now I can only assume their French red selection did a number on a Francophile such as yourself.

&nbsp;

GH: Ugh I just want to bathe in a tub of Burgundy hahaha I kid I kid but yes&rsquo; they have some fabulous selections. For my pinot people &ndash; they have a 2019 Nuit St George Premier Cru from JF Muginer. And you&rsquo;re a Syrah fan like yours truly, they have a 2018 Cote Rotie from Maison Stephan. And the of course we can&rsquo;t forget Bordeaux! And the one I&rsquo;m loving is this 2012 Grand Cru Pauillac from Pontet Canet.

&nbsp;

RT: Oh, wow those all sound amazing. Grace, thank you so much for helping us navigate the wine list at Jeune et Jolie. &nbsp;To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules.&nbsp; If you would like us to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to: <a href="mailto:Info@corkrules.Com">Info@CorkRules.Com</a> or visit our web website where we have a request form available and we will do our best to get it in the queue as quickly as possible.

&nbsp;

We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime, please check out our website for other episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists. Follow us on social media @CorkRules and @wineswithgrace

&nbsp;

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

&nbsp;

Thank you.

&nbsp;

End

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

BRAT

Bocca di Lupe

Gap Weekend: A Film Shoot in Wine Country

Alba Restaurant

Alba

10 Greek Street

L'Auberge Chez Francois

Andrew Edmunds

Salt Seafood and Oyster Bar

Matteos Ristorante Italiano

Matteo's

Marotti Campi is a family-owned winery located in the heart of the Marche region in Italy. They have been producing high-quality wines for over 100 years, using traditional winemaking techniques and sustainable farming practices.

Locally sourced seafood and Caribbean-style drinks in laid back, maritime-inspired digs.

Cafe Champagne

The Metropolitan Grill

Ray’s Boathouse

Ray's Boathouse

Purple Café and Wine Bar

Purple Cafe & Wine Bar

Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar

Seastar

The Butcher's Table

Sofreh

Have & Meyer

Don Angie

Ruffian

learn

Join us each week as we pour a glass and share top restaurant ‘wine list’ picks, providing you with the knowledge to confidently navigate the ‘wine list’ through somm recommendations, suggested food pairings and masterclass insights.

Stiltsville Fish Bar

Concilio Pinot Grigio Trentino 1939

Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

Pali Wine Co. Neighborhood 'The White Cap', Santa Barbara County 2015

Santa Barbara County, USA

Clos de Los Siete

Mendoza NV

Malbec Blend

Mendoza, Argentina

Col de' Salici

Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Millesimato Extra Dry NV

Glera

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, Italy

Carmel Road

Monterey Pinot Noir NV

Pinot Noir

California, USA

Alois Lageder

Pinot Bianco NV

Pinot Blanc

Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

Pali Wine Co. P.C.H. Rose of Pinot Noir, Central Coast NV

Central Coast, USA

Terras Gauda

Rias Baixas, Abadia San Campio Albarino NV

Galicia, Spain

Pali Wine Co. Charm Acres Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast NV

Sonoma Coast, USA

Inazio Urruzola

Blanco NV

Hondarrabi Zuri

Pais Vasco, Spain

Terredora

Falanghina Campania NV

Falanghina

Campania, Italy

Chateau Ste. Michelle

Cabernet Sauvignon NV

Cabernet Sauvignon

Washington, USA

Fattoria Sardi

Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT NV

Rose Blend

Tuscany, Italy

Ferrari

Trento Brut NV

Chardonnay

Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

Matanzas Creek

Sauvignon Blanc NV

Sauvignon Blanc

California, USA