Wine Shipping Tips
Read these 9 Wine Shipping Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Wines tips and hundreds of other topics.
Shipping materials
So you managed to find a bottle of 1997 Shaffer Hillside Select. Congratulations! Now you need to ship it to that extra special someone. This bottle, and all bottles need extra special packing for shipping. Requirments of packaging for shipping wine include the inside and the outside of the box. A studry corrugated box is neccessary for shipping wine and inside the box should either be molded styrofoam or cut corrugated units.
These are the preferred shipping materials. However, if you are really nervous about shipping you wine, there are on-line companies that will do it for you. Check out ebeaver.com for more information.
How and Where Wine May Not Be Shipped
If you're looking to send a bottle of wine by Federal Express, you simply can't. Under current federal law, it's illegal to transport alcohol in your household goods, or unaccompanied baggage shipment. Federal Law prohibits mailing of wine or any liquor products through the United States Postal Service. According to Federal Express, only properly licensed wholesalers, licensed dealers, licensed distributors, licensed manufacturers or licensed importers may ship wine via Federal Express services. Also be aware that, by law, you cannot do any wine shipping to the following addresses: - PO Boxes - APO/FPO (military)
United States Wine Laws
According to United States wine law, the percentage of alcohol in table wine must fall between a minimum of 7 percent and a maximum of 14 percent. And the alcohol percentage must be printed on the label. Also, 95 percent of the grapes for a wine must come from the vintage year on the label. The standards for naming a wine vary by country of origin. In the U.S., wine producers may name a wine for its predominant grape variety if the wine meets two requirements of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF): - 75 percent of the grapes in the wine must be of the variety stated on the label - The appellation of origin must appear on the label
The FDA Eyes EC Levels in Wine
Ethyl carbamate (EC, urethane) is a naturally occurring component of all fermented foods and beverages. Because EC has shown a potential for carcinogenicity when administered in high doses in animal tests, the Food & Drug Administration is working together to reduce EC levels in wine products. The FDA has listed the following recommendations for winemakers to keep EC levels low in wine: - The chemical reaction between urea and ethanol increases greatly with temperature. It is therefore essential that a wine containing elevated levels of urea not be exposed to elevated temperatures (above 100 F) during storage or shipment. - Since long-term exposure of wine to heat is also detrimental to its sensory properties and visual stability, wineries should educate and encourage the shipper, distributor, wholesaler, and retailer to minimize heat exposure by use of appropriate insulated containers, shipping schedules and storage facilities.
Shipping Wine From State to State Gets Easier
It's been tough shipping wine across state borders. But it's getting a little easier, thanks to a U.S. Supreme Court decision in May of 2005. On May 16, 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Granholm vs. Heald to support direct wine shipments from wineries and retailers to consumers. The High Court ruled that states can regulate wine shipments but cannot discriminate by treating out-of-state wine commerce (wineries and retailers) differently than in-state wine commerce. More measured voices in the wine-loving community, however, noted that little is likely to change for many Americans, particularly in the short term. The opinion addresses only the 24 states whose laws permit in-state wineries to ship wine to consumers while forbidding out-of-state producers to do so. But many states do not permit shipping wine to consumers at all, and the court's ruling does not change that.
Ask About Warehouse Facilities
Wine companies usually ship wine orders within 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. Some will not ship on holidays, weekends or during inclement weather. If your order is halted for any reason, that means your wine must be kept in storage until it is brought to you. If inclement weather arises or if the shipping method you select is not able to arrive to the destination during the same week of the order, companies reserve the right to hold your shipment. Check to make sure the company you are dealing with has a temperature controlled warehouse if your wine will be sitting there for a few days. Some companies say they do and others say they are not responsible for the condition of their warehouses used for shipping wine lags. So buyer beware.
What to do With Damaged Goods
Be sure you are clear on the shipping rules of the company you are dealing with and how you may - or may not - be reimbursed for damaged wines. Some companies insure wines up until the point of delivery. That is, until a signature is obtained or the goods are left as per your special delivery instructions. Keep your receipt number and report any breakages or shortages to the company within 24 hours of receiving your shipment. Some companies have a 24-hour reporting rule. Check yours to see if a speedy reply is required.
Combating Underage Drinking
Most times, when alcoholic beverages are delivered to your door, companies require the person receiving them to show identification proving that he or she is 21 years old. For this reason, many companies will not ship to PO Boxes or honor requests to "leave it on the porch." If an order is returned for failure to provide proper proof of age, the buyer is usually responsible for payment of all wine shipping charges for the return.
How to Save On Shipping Costs
Some companies let you combine the convenience of shopping online without the inconvenient wine shipping fees, by allowing you to place your order electronically and then indicate on your order form that you'll pick up your order in person. This obviously only works if you live in close proximity to the store you are ordering from. There are a few online companies that don't charge for shipping, so if you're looking to save on shipping costs seek out online wine companies that don't charge for shipping.
