If you love wine, enjoying a good wine with your meal is sure to enhance any dining experience! However, sometimes, your favorite wine can be quite expensive to order in a restaurant. How do you save on the cost of wine at a fine dining restaurant? Read on, and you will find out!
Is there a right or wrong time to try and save?
Yes! There are times to splurge and enjoy dining with a special wine and not focus on saving costs. Certain moments are special such as a meal that includes a Sommelier expertly selecting wines to be paired with the dishes being served. This is not the time to try and save money. These moments are to be enjoyed in their entirety. For example, if you went the Thomas Keller’s “The French Laundry”, it is best to allow the experience to unfold knowing that you are experiencing something very special.
When and how to save:
However, in other circumstances, there are some great ways to save on a bottle of wine when dining out. There are three methods I strongly recommend are:
🌟 Bring your own bottle and pay the corkage fee
🌟 Check to see if the restaurant offers “half-off bottle nights”
🌟 Social Hours or “Happy Hour”
Corkage Fee:
What is a corkage fee? A corkage fee is charged when you bring your own bottle into the restaurant. The fee includes chilling (when needed), opening and serving the wine that you have brought. The prices of the corkage fee differ depending on the restaurant. Obviously, a fine dining restaurant will charge more. I suggest calling ahead to find out if they offer a corkage fee and what the corkage fee is. Also, check to see if there is a limit on the number of bottles you can bring. I have found, that on average, the fee ranges from $15 – $35 and the number of bottles allowed is usually 2-3.
It is important to calculate what the savings will be if you bring your own wine. Many restaurants have their wine menus online, so you can see what they charge. On a recent experience – I brought in a bottle of Bollinger and the corkage fee was $25. The price for a bottle of Bollinger champagne at this restaurant was $125. I purchased the bottle at a wine store for $60. This was a cost savings of $40 a bottle.
You want to give some thought to how the costs add up. It doesn’t make sense to bring in a $20 bottle of wine and pay a $35-dollar corkage fee. Further, you want to consider other guests enjoying the wine with you and what image or atmosphere you want to create.
🌟5StarTips:
🌟 Call several days ahead to research whether the restaurant offers corkage fees. Most restaurants do, but not all.
🌟 Ask what their corkage fee is and check to see if it varies between a bottle of champagne or a bottle of wine. Some might charge more for a bottle of champagne.
🌟 Determine whether their menu has the same wines you are thinking of bringing in to make sure the savings are worthwhile.
🌟 Carry the bottle into the restaurant in a nice wine bottle bag. Wine bags can be purchased at any wine store and online. The advantage too is that the bag can be used again. If you are bringing champagne or white wine that needs to be chilled, ask the hostess to put it on ice as soon as you arrive so it will be chilled when it is served. *I usually bring chilled wines in a special insulated wine bag so that chilling at the restaurant will not take too long.
🌟 If the wine you are bringing is not on the menu, it would be polite to offer the Sommelier a taste and explain why you enjoy this wine.
Half-Off Wine Bottle Night:
Several high-end restaurants are incorporating a half-off bottle night one day a week. I have tried to utilize this savings as a way to enjoy a bottle of wine that I might not otherwise try. Ask the Sommelier or server to offer their suggestions and enjoy trying something new. My husband John, and I started researching the finer restaurants that offer this opportunity and make it a point to try a nice wine on the night offered. We love to expand our knowledge of wine while saving a little money.
Happy Hour or Social Hour:
My husband and I often seek out happy hours for a way to enjoy a light meal and wine at a fine dining bar. When we are traveling we will ask the Concierge at our hotel to recommend the restaurants nearby that offer this. A great opportunity to not only save on the cost of your glass of wine but also sometimes to enjoy savings on the appetizers as well.
Important to note that often the wine savings is on a “house” wine. Don’t discount that in a fine dining establishment that their house wine can be quite good. It is a fabulous option for enjoying time together in a wonderful environment and save significantly on costs as well.
Final Thoughts:
When creating Always5Star experiences, it does not mean that you always have to pay top dollar to get the best. It is sometimes just knowing that you can cut a few corners without comprising the overall moment. And, the savings that you create are more opportunities to have more luxury Always5Star moments! Cheers to enjoying a quality wine at your favorite restaurant at cost savings!
It paired perfectly with our sunset dinner!!
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About Pamela Rossi
I am passionate about travel and taking each moment and making it a five star experience. My goal is to create those experiences for YOU!
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