Before you go · 3 minute read
The five-minute corkage checklist.
Bottle sizes, service charges and Sunday shop hours. The small questions that make the evening straightforward.
Most corkage misunderstandings can be avoided with one short conversation before dinner. Here is what to cover.
1. Is this the right policy?
A private-hire brochure is not a promise to a table of two. A members’ lunch benefit is not a public offer. Make sure the policy applies to the room, service and booking you actually want. Our directory separates these cases rather than treating every mention of corkage as the same thing.
2. What are you bringing?
Give the wine’s name, vintage, size and quantity. Ask whether bottles already on the list are excluded. Tell the restaurant if you are considering Champagne, a magnum or an older bottle that may need careful opening. Do not assume all formats carry the same fee.
3. What will it cost?
Confirm the rate and whether service is added. Ask about any minimum purchase from the wine list. A promotional rate may depend on the day or time, and some restaurants price particularly valuable wines differently. Get clarity before the booking, not when the cork is pulled.
4. How will the bottle get there?
Check the merchant’s actual branch address, opening hours and stock. A shop across London is a place to buy in advance, not a handy stop five minutes before dinner. Transport the wine carefully and ask the restaurant how it would prefer to handle chilling or decanting.
5. What if the plan changes?
Let the restaurant know if your party size or bottle count changes. If an old bottle is faulty, do not assume you can replace it with another without discussing the arrangement. Their team can help, but it is better not to arrive with an unannounced case.
Once those questions are settled, there is very little left to organise. Turn up on time, order well and enjoy the bottle you chose.