If it's much more than a reasonable charge for use of their glassware, etc., then I think it's a rip-off. Kind of like the fees that airlines add to tickets, i.e. designed to boost profits without being obvious up-front.

I've heard all the arguments about "that's where we make our profit". My responses are:

• I go to restaurants primarily for the food. Are you telling me I'm not welcome?
• It's your responsibility to have a wine list that makes me want to buy from it. Trying to force me to buy from it via exorbitant fees is not going to make me want to come.

Frankly, if I wanted to go to a restaurant for the food and they had high corkage, I'd probably go and order tap water.