We have all done it... on holiday, after a lazy day spent
soaking up the sun or eagerly exploring the sites, gathered with friends as the
sun goes down, admiring the most spectacular view, or snuggled up to a loved
one in a cosy hideaway, the perfect secret discovery, sharing a bottle of local
wine, perfectly matched to the local cuisine. Such wonderful happy times.
Why is it then, that back at home, returning to the daily
grind of normal life, many of us yearn to recreate moments like this, which
just end in disappointment?
Of course, much of this anti-climax is because our memories
are apt to play tricks on us, recalling the “good bits”, while conveniently
forgetting the insects, the sun burn, the accommodation that did not quite live
up to expectations, and the rancid wine.
Wherever I travel I always bring back a momento or two;
usually something food related, plus a cook book and, of course, a bottle or
two of the local tipple. Provided I temper my enthusiasm, an expandable
suitcase is usually sufficient to accommodate my purchases. When it comes to carrying
home wine, opinion remains divided. While wines drunk in situ do seem to taste
different, there is no evidence to support allowing a wine to “recover” after
travel.
When it comes to splurging out on quality red wine though,
which may have been bottled unfiltered, or where there is sediment present,
allowing it to settle for a few days is preferable; much like we need time to
settle back into our usual routine after being in holiday mode.
In addition to the time the wine has spent in transit,
consideration needs to be given to any exposure to heat, while your luggage
sits on the tarmac in sweltering temperatures.
In general, for anything other than a souvenir bottle of
plonk, you are better off purchasing it from a reputable distributor.
When visiting small independent wine makers, I often buy a
few bottles to take home, if for no other reason than that I know it is
something not readily available elsewhere.
If buying wine outside Europe, then there are likely to be
restrictions on what you can do; for example, in the US you must use an
approved shipping service.
Sadly, as I have learned to my cost, due to the onerous
travel restrictions, it is now not possible to carry wine in your hand luggage
when travelling by air. It must be transported in your checked-in luggage. Judicious
packing, with bottles wrapped individually in bubble wrap and using my clothes
as padding, I manage to get away without too many breakages, despite baggage
handlers’ efforts to destroy my luggage.
I have also fallen foul of vineyards offering to pack wine
in the usual cardboard boxes; even when packed tightly with dividers between
bottles, it is unwise to put this in the hold.
If transporting wine is likely to be a regular occurrence,
it is worth remembering that while many established vineyards will have
international wine shipping services in place, it can be prohibitively
expensive, so it is worth considering some of the other options available. All
of these are available on Amazon.
•Wine Skins, which have a vinyl exterior and a bubble-wrap
interior, are simple to use and are leak-resistant too, costing around £5 and
up.
•“Built” wine tote bags are good for just one or two
bottles, giving good protection, and with a handy carrying handle too. Various
versions are available in the region of £10
•WineHug inflatable wine sleeves, which are re-usable, are
worth investing in and provide good protection. They come in various sizes and
cost £12, plus shipping.
•Lazenne wine travel bags are lightweight with a heavy-duty
polystyrene insert which can hold up to 12 bottles of wine and can be had for
£125.
•VinGardeValise is the high-end option, perfect for those
who take their wine seriously and really want to push the boat out. This
specialist suitcase, with six removable inserts, takes up to 12 bottles and is
specifically designed for packing wine bottles (or other liquids such as olive
oil or spirits) for air travel. Although expensive, at a whopping £263 for a
new one, this is now at the top of my wish list.
One thing to bear in mind is the hold luggage weight
restriction of 23kg. A bottle of bubbly weighs in at around 1.5kg, so a dozen
of these, packed in a custom-made holder, will just about keep you within the
limit.
While we remain in Europe, the personal duty-free allowance
is 90 litres (60 for sparkling wine), which should be sufficient for most of
us!