Corkage Policies in Paris Restos

[getxo]

Would anyone care to share experiences at Parisian restaurants (especially bistros) regarding corkage fees?

For instance, if I have bottle of La Tache I've been waiting to drink at a quiet bistro, would this be frowned upon?

Thanks.

Henry

[Felice]

I don’t really think there is a set policy with this, and I’m sure someone French could answer this with more authority, but seeing that no has answered yet, I’ll give you my opinion. I don’t think this is something that is often done and after working in many restaurants, I can’t remember ever having this request. Not to say it’s never done though, as I’m sure it is. If I were you, I would either go to a restaurant that knows you fairly well or at least ask in advance, preferably in person, explaining that it’s a special occasion and you would like to bring a bottle you have been saving, etc. If they like you, they probably won’t have a problem with it, but if you just show up with a bottle, it might place them in an awkward position.

[pirate]

All bottles of wine in French stores and eating places have to have a tax seal, usually found on top of the sealing covering the cork. The only exception is wine for export, purchased from a grower or negociant for which you have to get an acquit vert. You can and will be arrested for violations. I doubt any restaurant could or would risk serving an untaxed bottle. I asume that you are American. If you buy your La Tache in France it will have the seal and then you can proceed as posted by Felice if you wish. If you bring it in make sure French customs is informed and get some sort of official acquit. With the proper acquit you might then be able to tackle a restaurant or bistro. Of course, getting an acquit vert for shipping wine from France to the USA is something I've done a number of times. But I've also been stopped by the police and had to present my acquit vert a number of times , too. Frankly I wouldn't do what you are suggesting.

[getxo]

Phyllis and Pirate,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I think you saved me from making an ass of myself at a Parisian restaurant.

The last thing I want to do is offend my Parisian hosts in the restaurant business.

I may be pushing my luck with them by bringing in a bottle (even with a polite request ahead of time).

Cheers.

Henry

[pirate]

Here's a suggestion: Lavinia is a huge wine store near the Eglise de la Madeleine. They have a bistro upstairs (quality unknown to me) and the following policy: Any wine purchased in their store can be opened and served upstairs in the bistro at no extra cost. This is their stated policy; you don't have to ask. They have a huge selection of wines which I'm fairly sure includes some vintages of La T\^ache. They recently purchased Caves Auge (Aug\'e), a very old and honored wine store. The latter has some notable French wines not exported to the USA. I don't know if they allow the serving of wines purchased there in the Lavinia bistro..

Edited November 25, 2005 by pirate (log)

[Ptipois]

Bringing your own bottle is not much done in France. Some places may allow it but they are very rare IMO. Given the fact that restaurants make their profit margin mostly on wines, I should think the practice would be far from welcome.

Why would you insist on drinking your own bottle at a bistrot? There are so many cheap and wonderful wines to discover there. You can do as everyone does here: drink your bought wine at home (or in your hotel room) and, in a bistrot, drink the wine they have.

[Ptipois]

There is of course the possibility offered by a few wine bistrots in Paris: choose your wine from the well-stocked shelves, accept a corkage fee of 10 to 20 euros depending on the place, then take the bottle to your table and enjoy it with your meal. Les Papilles does that, so does La Muse Vin, Le Casier à Vins, etc. — but this is very different from bringing in a bottle that was bought elsewhere.