So you've purchased a bottle or two of wine on your trip and are trying to figure out how to pack it in your suitcase. The last thing you'll want is for that bottle of red to crack open and stain everything in your suitcase! Fortunately for you, we've prepared a useful article on how to pack wine in your suitcase. Read on to learn more...
Before buying any alcohol overseas, take note that some countries may have tax duties and customs regulations about how much wine you can leave/enter with. Find out about the alcohol import/export rules of your departure and arrival country before you pack wine into your suitcase.
If you're planning to buy wine on your trip, keep in mind that a wine bottle will be better protected in a hard suitcase as opposed to soft fabric ones. This is because soft fabric cases have less integrity and are more susceptible to external stimuli.
Ensure the bottle(s) is as padded as possible. Use bubble wrap if you have it, and secure it with a few layers of plastic bags to help minimise spillage in case the bottle breaks.
As a last resort, you should wrap the bottle with a long sock and scarves/clothes, with a thicker layer around the bottle’s neck so its width is uniform throughout. However, note that clothes are not a secure method of cushioning the bottle, and you run the risk of the wine staining your clothes should the bottle break in transit.
The best method would be to use protective wine sleeves (like wine skins, jet bags, or vinni bags) that store individual bottles of wine for travel. They will not only cushion the wine, but also have a leakproof seal which prevents the wine from spilling if the bottle does break. These wine sleeves are available in most PACK & SEND stores.
Place the bottle(s) into the centre of your luggage, with clothing on the side, top, and bottom to provide further cushioning and shock absorption.
If you’re planning on buying more than 2 or 3 bottles of wine, consider investing in a wine suitcase like the Vin Garde Valise or the Wine Check Wine Luggage. This is a rolling suitcase lined with high-density, temperature-regulating foam to protect your wine from potential rough handling and changing temperatures in the airplane’s cargo hold.
If you take all these precautions, your wine will arrive at its destination safe and sound. Happy packing and enjoy your wine!