Wine is a living thing. It changes over time, and if it is not kept in the right conditions, it can be ruined. This is why it requires special attention during a move.
If you’re getting ready to move, one of the issues you’ll need to tackle is how to pack and transport your wine and spirits. Whether you’re moving a $20 bottle or a $200 or even $2,000 bottle, the last thing you want is a mess or to find it ruined when you open it in your new home.
Here are some helpful tips on how to pack wine bottles for moving:
Decide What You Want to Keep
Like packing other belongings for a move, you can go through your wine and spirits to decide what to keep, what to give away, and what might need to be thrown away. You can also plan to drink certain bottles (particularly those that are open) before you move so they don’t go to waste. If you have a bottle or two that you know a friend or neighbor would appreciate, it might make a great gift before you leave.
Wine is heavy, weighing about 40 pounds per 12 bottles. Once you’ve gone through all of your wine bottles and other spirits, you can move on to the next step. As with decluttering your home, going through your wine can save you the time, effort, and expense of moving all of it.
Get the Right Packing Supplies
For packing wine and spirits, you can use a specialty wine shipping box. For larger or oddly shaped bottles, you might need to pack these individually. Wine boxes are available in different sizes and should include Styrofoam dividers that will keep the bottles snug and prevent them from bumping into one another and breaking. Be sure to clearly label boxes with wine and spirits as “FRAGILE.”
Pack Your Wine Bottles the Right Way
If you’re packing red or white wine, pack them upside down or on their side, keeping the corks wet. This can help prevent spoilage or oxidation. For sparkling wine and champagne, pack these upright.
Protect Your Wine from Harsh Temperatures
Wine can spoil even at seemingly mild temperatures. According to Wine Enthusiast, wine should be stored at about 53 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit, although it can be kept safe at temperatures ranging from about 45 to 65 degrees. Once it is exposed to temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, it is in danger of suffering irreversible damage. That doesn’t necessarily mean that keeping a bottle of wine in your 73-degree kitchen for a few weeks or your 74-degree car for a few hours will ruin it. It does, however, expedite the aging process. It’s always best to keep wine out of the sun and away from extreme temperatures.
If you’re moving in the summer or the winter, you’ll need to think about how extreme heat or cold could affect your wine. If you have a manageable collection, you can transport the wine in your own vehicle, where you can control the temperature. If you’re not driving or you have a large collection, consider a professional shipping company that can use a climate-controlled vehicle.
You can tell that wine has been affected by high temperatures if the cork starts to bulge out of the bottle.
Remember, You Can’t Ship Open Bottles
If you have open bottles, finish them off (responsibly!), give them away, or carefully pack them in your own car and drive them to your new place.
Wait to Open Wine Bottles for at Least Seven Days After You Move
Do not open any wine right after you move. The general rule of thumb is to wait about a week after your move, but if your wine was in transport for more than one day, wait even longer. Opening a wine bottle, particularly an old one, immediately after transporting it can result in a loss of flavor or disjointed flavor due to vibrations. This is also known as bottle shock.
Consider a Wine Shipping Company
If you have an especially large or expensive wine collection, you may wish to contact a company that specializes in wine transportation. In fact, many interstate movers are not allowed to transport wine or spirits in their vans. Check with your moving company and make a decision based on your needs. Some companies can even pack your wine bottles for moving so you don’t have to.
Southern California Movers You Can Trust
At Affordable Quality Moving and Storage, we know moving is stressful enough without worrying about wine and other valuables. That’s why we’re always ready to offer helpful tips and guidance related to your local, out-of-state, or even international move. Our movers can handle every aspect of your move, so you don’t have to. This includes packing and unpacking, storage, and transportation for your home or office move.
If you want to find out more about our moving services, give us a call at (661) 622-2636. We offer free estimates and have offices in Santa Clarita, Burbank, San Diego, and Temecula to better serve you!
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