How to waive Corkage fees

This is a pet peeve of many who bring their own bottles of wine to a restaurant. Most that I know would agree that a nominal amount is fair for corkage... nominal being somewhere at or under $15... although there are places that charge as little as $5.

I don't have a problem paying corkage... until it starts reaching the $20/25/30 range. At this point, it's almost better just to buy a couple of glasses. Of course, it depends on your budget, the overall experience (i.e. special money-is-no-object occasion).

However, as a habitual bringer of my own bottles, here's some of the things I've learned.

1. Many restaurants will, out of courtesy, waive the corkage if you call them in advance. If you use a website such as http://www.opentable.com/ for your reservations, you can place the request in the notes section just prior to confirming your reservation.
2. It's a good idea to bring a bottle that the restaurant does NOT have on their lists. Many restaurants post their wine lists on the web and some will even be glad to tell you if a particular wine is on their list if you call them.
3. Share your wine. If you're going to bring your own bottle, especially one that isn't on the list, I find that sharing a taste with the sommelier and/or manager is not only polite, but can sometimes result in and unexpected and pleasurable short conversation about the wine. In two cases, the sommelier went back into his cellar and brought out some special tastes of wine to reciprocate!!! In one of those cases, it turned out that the folks at the table next to us owned a winery and, the next thing you know, we had quite a little impromptu party going on. You never know.
4. Show appreciation. If the restaurant waives the corkage, add an additional 5-10% onto the tip. Sometimes, I've brought in a 2nd bottle and have given it to the manager or sommelier (whoever was serving us) to thank them for their hospitality. If it's one of your favorite restaurants, this can help build an ongoing relationship that elevates the dining experience to a new level.

If all else fails, pay the corkage or just order a bottle from the restaurant - preferably something you've never had before. This is sometimes a good way to invest in your ever-increasing appreciation of wine while pairing it with the food.

Cheers!