Travel and Wine Transport

wine transportI can't count the amount of times I've wanted to bring back wine from Europe, South America or the US and given up.  With a lack of wine transporting solutions at my fingertips, I wasn't about to risk wrapping a Bordeaux in my newly-purchased sweater and hoping it wouldn't get jostled and explode in my bag. No thanks.

Then I read about the eco-friendly VinniBag, and got very excited. Debuting in early March at the Travel Goods Association Show, this inflatable wine bottle protector allows you to bring home your prized bottle of wine (or balsamic, or olive oil, or an awkward travel purchase) knowing it will arrive secure and intact.

VinniBag - $24.95 - reusable travel bag - inflatable air chambers that protect and insulate wine bottles, other liquids, and fragile items - designed to provide superior protection against impact and leakage - stores flat, rolled or folded when not in use

Other Options - three-bottle italian leather tote ($99.95) - styrofoam wine containers ($4.20 - min qty 5) - some people--even wine writers--swear by putting wine in a sock, wrapping in a used t-shirt, putting in the laundry bag provided by the hotel and placing in a secure place in their suitcase - go old-school and bring bubble-wrap and tape with you (and still wrap in a bag for good measure) - use the cardboard box provided by the wine shop or winery and pack it in a secure place in your suitcase

Carry-on liquid restrictions and checked-bag weight restrictions do not make wine transport easy, but we soldier on because savoring that hard-to-come-by Pinot once you're home makes transporting it all worth while.