Wine Doggy-Bag Bill Introduced

Michigan State Bill Would Let Restaurant Diners Take Home Unfinished Bottles of Wine Restaurants believe customers should be able to save their unfinished bottles of chardonnay, merlot and zinfandel. Bipartisan legislation introduced Tuesday in the state Senate would let diners take home recorked or capped wine. Some call it the wine doggy-bag bill. Restaurants say it would help them financially because customers would be more likely to buy higher-priced wine. They also think it could decrease drunken driving because diners might not drink an entire bottle to avoid wasting any wine. Current law prohibits a diner from taking home a partially consumed bottle. "This allows people to be more responsible," said Sen. Jud Gilbert, R-Algonac, the bill's sponsor. Thirty states allows restaurants to reseal a bottle of wine for carryout, according to the 4,500-member Michigan Restaurant Association. The group strongly supports the legislation, spokesman Andy DeLoney said. "If I don't think my companion and I are able to finish a bottle of wine by ourselves, we may not order such a high-value bottle of wine," he said. The bill would require diners to order a meal with the bottle if they plan on taking wine home. They also couldn't carry out extra unopened bottles of wine. DeLoney said he was unaware of any opposition to the bill. A message was left Tuesday with the Michigan branch of Mothers Against Drunk Driving seeking comment. David Eggert, Associated Press