Diners at fine restaurants in the Baltimore region can now enjoy a glass of their favorite fruit of the vine and take home the rest.
The General Assembly passed a bill allowing restaurant patrons to carry home a partially consumed bottle of wine as long as the bottle has been corked or capped by restaurant staff. A recorked bottle of wine is still subject to existing open container laws, so the bottle would have to be stored in the trunk or glove compartment for the trip home. If signed by Gov. Robert Ehrlich, the law would take effect July 1.
Proponents, including the Restaurant Association of Maryland, said the bill would end the dilemma for customers of either finishing the bottle or wasting money.
Melvin Thompson, of the Restaurant Association of Maryland, said his group pushed for the bill after hearing from restaurants that their wine sales might go up if people felt more comfortable buying bottles.
“Most customers shy away from buying wine by the bottle because they don’t feel they can consume the whole thing and drive home safely,” Thompson said.
“We believe that this will discourage overdrinking and also help restaurants sell more wine by the bottle.”
The sponsor of the bill, Democratic Sen. Ida Ruben, Montgomery County, said drunken-driving opponents also favored the bill.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
