How to Recork Wine to Take Home From a Restaurant

The next time you splurge on a fancy dinner, you may want to order the restaurant's best wine by the bottle instead of the house wine by the glass. Many states have changed their laws to allow diners to take home a partially empty bottle of wine, provided they follow the laws of the state. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

1. Find out if your state allows restaurants to recork a bottle of wine.

2. Read the different state laws and specific rules. In Texas, for example, a recorked bottle is considered an open bottle and must be placed in a locked glove compartment or trunk to transport.

3. Call ahead, and ask the restaurant of your choice if you can take an unfinished bottle home with you. In Iowa, restaurants must pay $500 to allow patrons to take home open bottles of wine.

4. Ask your waiter if you can take the rest of the wine, or your server may ask you instead. Some states will require the wine to be re-corked, sealed and packaged in a one-time use, tamper-proof transparent bag.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't even think about opening the bottle of wine in the car on the way home. You could be looking at costly fines and a visit to the judge.

• Know your limits. If you've had too much to drink, call a cab to take you home.

Resources

• Wine Doggy Bag's website includes a
• Research your favorite vintage here at All About Wine's website.
• The Restaurant website includes a U.S. map showing cork and carry laws in each state.