Next week we’re flying to California for Russian River Wine Road Barrel Tasting (more about that later). First, we’re stopping in San Francisco to meet up with some of our Wine Blogger friends. Then we’re driving over to Murphys to visit El Jefe at Twisted Oak Winery. If we survive El Jefe and his Twisted Rubber Chickens, we may stop in Napa to visit with WineDiverGirl on the way to Sonoma to meet up with some other winos on Thea’s Fabulous Wine Tasting Tour. Somewhere along the way we’re going to talk to some other winemakers. We plan to come back with lots of great new stories to share with you, our gentle readers.
Wine Travel Tips: Given that the TSA has decided we can no longer carry on liquids over 3 ounces and they must fit into one little quart-sized bag and we tend to have enough hair care products to max that out, what are we to do if we find some fabulous wine that we want to enjoy at a later date, in the comfort of our own home?
If you’re like us, you face this same dilemma. It would be much simpler to just have it shipped home; unless of course you live in one of the goofy states that has decided you’re a child and the State government must dictate to you where you buy your wine.
If you’re going to bring back just a couple of bottles, in the past, you just put it in your carry on luggage and put it under your seat. But we’re visiting so many wineries, it’s doubtful that we’re going to be buying cases at each stop.
Since, we don’t want to have an entire wardrobe of burgundy clothes, we need a way to travel without breaking the bottles in our checked luggage.
One of the attorneys I work with went on a cruise where she discovered a fabulous product to help keep your Merlot in its bottle and off your unmentionables. It’s a product called BottleWise; who provides the following travel tips on their site:
- Bottles in carry-on luggage, even if done so by accident, are confiscated at security check points. Few provisions, if any, are available for quickly packing and shipping bottles once in the airport. Most passengers report having to give up a good bottle or drink it before being allowed through security.
- Airport security personnel will typically x-ray and, if necessary, manually inspect the contents of your checked luggage. Even if you took great care to wrap your bottles in clothing, there’s no guarantee that a TSA agent with a back log of bags to inspect will be as careful. With BottleWise, it’s easy to quickly zip the Bot’lPak back up and ensure the bottle stays safe throughout the flight.
- Under normal conditions luggage compartments on modern aircraft are pressurized so there is no risk to bottles popping an unopened cap or cork. It is not recommended that you transport open or re-corked bottles.
- Airlines do not provide compensation for damage to luggage contents created from spills or leaks. Passengers are generally advised to take the necessary precautions to protect bottles and other glass in their bags.
- Some airlines have their own alcohol restrictions so it’s wise to check beforehand just to be safe. In addition, some States in the US restrict the transport of wine and alcohol so be sure to know the rules of your state before you fly.
BottleWise advertises that their products come with an unconditional life-time guarantee. Wouldn’t it be great if everything came with one of those?
Stay tuned for information about our Trip and on Thea’s Fabulous Barrel Tasting Tour!
Cheers!
~ Amy Corron Power,
aka WineWonkette
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