Wine lovers have long since appreciated being able to bring their own wine "BYO" to a restaurant that has a corkage policy. That means that a place (normally for a fee) will allow a patron to bring their own wine to open with their meal. Mention this to non wine lovers and they give you that "really?" look. I then try to explain why this type of policy (bringing wine) makes sense for both the restaurant and the diner - in most cases.

Some restaurants allow for wine bringing out of necessity. Perhaps they do not have their liquor license or they are a small establishment with no room for a proper wine cellar or other adequate storage. The places that I and other wine lovers will frequent do not normally fall into the above category. Most places really don't advertise the fact that they are BYO friendly. This is due to a few key reasons that do make sense.

People who are more than just casual or cheap wine drinkers and have good bottles to bring will call and ask anyway. We understand what corkage means, the privilege and how to handle it.

If a place advertised a BYO, you would have many people bring in some pretty weak stuff. Why does that matter? Well - this is just my opinion but the point of bringing a wine to a restaurant is to open a special bottle I have at a nice place.

I like to bring wine when the list is weak and that is the problem with most places I go to.

Prices are part of it, but it is more from weak choices, vintages, tired names. Paying $125 for a 2004 Silver Oak drives me nuts. I'd rather pay a corkage fee and bring something that is not only good - it is mature and ready.

My other BYO Corkage Rules of Proper Etiquette

• Never bring a wine that is on their list (looks really cheap)
• Bring something that had a mid range cost to you at least - let's say $35 for Red
• Have it be matured
• Consider buying a wine from the restaurant if bringing more than one bottle

When you show proper BYO etiquette, the pleasure is just as much theirs as it is yours for dining there. A good BYO restaurant will get my business again and again. That is why it makes sense for them.

Happy drinking!

Nick Hunter is an online author and wine enthusiast. He operates Nick's Wine World. A blog that has Wine Tasting Notes and products. He also manages and uses Nick's Classified Ads - A free classified ad site that has wine service links and other business to business postings.

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