First, let me say that I recently found this site and it is by far the most informative on Italy! I've already printed out a ream of information and lists from your archives.
We'll be in Tuscany this summer and one of our major interests is wine (and food, of course!) We're wondering on how to bring home many bottles of wine. I've followed the threads here on the possibility of shipping, but I was wondering if anyone knew whether wineries or enotecas in Italy sell the type of wine boxes we've found in Napa--these are boxes with styrofoam inserts so that you can safely pack the wine and put it through with checked luggage. With new carry on restrictions, I am not counting on being able to carry on more than three or four bottles (I need to carry on a lot of photographic equipment that I won't check.)
So has anyone seen these there or know what I'm referring to?
Janet in NYC
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,
Posts: 1976 | Location: Brooklyn NY | Registered: 10 March 2002
We bought a wine carrier from one of the wine catalogs last fall. It holds six bottles in semi-cushioned comfort. I used it though as a carry-on. Going, I filled it with things I knew I would leave behind in Italy (don't ask what . On the way home, I filled it with wine. It worked well but I didn't check it.
The places I bought wine in Italy packed the bottles in cardboard carriers but nothing I'd feel secure enough checking.
I've seen carryon's w/ styrofoam that seem to be more conducive to checking in those same wine catalogs. I think we're going to get one of those for our June trip so we can bring back 6 bottles each.
Posts: 14341 | Location: Casa dei Cerrbiati, NJ, USA | Registered: 16 June 2001
quote:I was wondering if anyone knew whether wineries or enotecas in Italy sell the type of wine boxes we've found in Napa--these are boxes with styrofoam inserts so that you can safely pack the wine and put it through with checked luggage
Janet:
I, like Kim, have bought wine in Italy that the enoteche have packed in cardboard carrying cases. I've just taken these and put them both in my carry on luggage as well as in my checked luggage.
When they're in my checked luggage, I add extra padding -- socks, underwear etc. I've also packed loose bottles in my checked luggage. I've never had a bottle break. I make sure that the bag is tightly packed, that they're in the center of the bags, that the bottles are very well insulated and cushioned with lots of clothing and other soft stuff, and that they're not close to anything else that's hard ......
Posts: 4768 | Location: New York City | Registered: 15 June 2001
I'm confused....I thought you could only bring back 2 bottles per person. Is this incorrect, or do you have to pay duty on extra bottles? If so, how much?
Posts: 4730 | Location: Umbria | Registered: 29 June 2001
I got a new suitcase last year - one of those "under the seater" things on wheels. It perfectly fits bottles of wine standing up. I had wine bottles full of olive oil, but the same shape. You could get about 10 - 12 I think. I brought back 8 bottles of oil and a 5 liter tin.
Posts: 26611 | Location: Santa Fe, NM | Registered: 15 June 2001
quote:Originally posted by Kim: I've seen carryon's w/ styrofoam that seem to be more conducive to checking in those same wine catalogs
Hmmm that's a possibility--bringing our own with us empty and bringing it back full--the problem is that we will be flying into Venice first for a few days before we pick up a car to go to Tuscany, and so we'd have this extra box to carry around to our hotel in Venice. Of course, it wouldn't weigh anything! But if it seems that you can't buy these in Italy, that might be the best way to go....
I'm not sure I'd take the risk that David took of putting it my carry-on protected by socks! ;-) I once did that with some salsa from New Mexico, and boy....was that a mess when I got home! If I resort to that I guess that I would wrap the bottles tightly in plastic just in case....
I just was reading on a web site that you can buy these styrofoam wine boxes at post offices in Bordeaux, to mail your purchases home! I guess Italy may not be as geared up for the wine-hunting tourist.
Posts: 1976 | Location: Brooklyn NY | Registered: 10 March 2002
My husband and I travelled last October, and had no problems carrying 8 bottles each in our carry-on luggage and backpacks. Customs in Boston didn't question the amount of wine we had, and the security people were unconcerned. In fact, I was chosen to have my bags hand searched, and the security guard was admiring our choice in wine! We felt the bottles were packed securely in with all our clothing. We also carried one of the wine carriers that all of the enotecas give you.
We also had two cases of wine shipped home from two separate enotecas. Both arrived quickly and safely. This was expensive, but still cost us less than buying the wine in the states.
Posts: 135 | Location: Wisconsin | Registered: 18 June 2001
You can bring back 2 bottles per person duty free. The rest they say you'll have to pay duty, on which I don't believe is a lot. I can't remember if it's 5 or 10 percent of the purchase price. Either way, on certain bottles of wine, it's still cheaper (and good for the memories) to buy them there and lug them home than to buy them in the states.
Now, that said, as another poster already noted. I brought back 4 bottles in November and Customs at JFK was more concerned about the pecorino cheese I had than the wine. They wanted to make sure I didn't have any meat products. I'd saved my receipts but they didn't ask for any duty on the two extra bottles.
quote:Originally posted by Barb: I'm confused....I thought you could only bring back 2 bottles per person. Is this incorrect, or do you have to pay duty on extra bottles? If so, how much?
Posts: 14341 | Location: Casa dei Cerrbiati, NJ, USA | Registered: 16 June 2001
We've thought about shipping - I don't think I'd have a problem doing it in Oct, Nov, or Mar, Apr but I'd be concerned in the summer the wine would end up sitting in some hot storage area and cook. Anyone know what damage could occur if wine sat in the cold? Can it freeze?
quote:Originally posted by Jean: We also had two cases of wine shipped home from two separate enotecas. Both arrived quickly and safely. This was expensive, but still cost us less than buying the wine in the states.
Posts: 14341 | Location: Casa dei Cerrbiati, NJ, USA | Registered: 16 June 2001
Wow Amy!!! I went to that link, and once again, I think I have informtion overload! If anyone else wants more info on wince adn wineries, check out the link that Amy posted! Thanks a million!
Posts: 4730 | Location: Umbria | Registered: 29 June 2001
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. On the way home, I filled it with wine. It worked well but I didn't check it. 
