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Traveling with Wine

Discussion in 'Getting There & Getting Around' started by Aces and Eights, Sep 12, 2015.

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  1. Aces and Eights

    Aces and Eights VIP Whale

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    I only bring my own wine when I drive to Vegas because I don't want to hassle taking bottles on a plane. Most of the time I fly. What is the best way to bring wine with me on the plane with the least amount of trouble? Do I put it in my luggage in the middle of my clothes for cushioning (also using one of those neoprene wine holders)? I'd hate to find a broken bottle with wine-soaked clothes when I get there. Do I put it in it's own box made for shipping wine bottles? I would bring only two bottles. The cost of the corkage and the wine that I bring is still much cheaper than what restaurants charge for something comparable.
     
  2. BayouBengal

    BayouBengal VIP Whale

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    I've transported beer and liquor without a problem in checked bags. I just wrap really carefully. There is always the risk of breakage so just be really throuough.
     
  3. Rodent Pack

    Rodent Pack S.S. Minnow

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    VinniBag...easy to use and provides a high degree of protection. We use this and place it into the middle of clothing, or if we fly SWA we use one of our bags for transporting the wine (in the VinniBag) and sandwich the bottles between two small pillows. We've done this at least a dozen times and have never had any breakage.
     
  4. Ernie Vegas

    Ernie Vegas Low-Roller

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    These are reliable and fairly inexpensive, but one-time use only: http://www.wineskin.net/

    ETA: After youtubing a couple videos, I rescind my suggestion and endorse Rodent Pack's Vinnibag.
     
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2015
  5. cjlangston

    cjlangston Low-Roller

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    why not just ship it to your hotel? minimizes the risk and depending on quantity shipped may be cost effective as well, especially since it appears to be short distance (SoCal...right?)

    FWIW, I'm in the wine biz and typically ship vs schlep when traveling for pleasure. I'm a carry-on the plane vs checked bag kind of guy and that won't work for wine.
    It's also a real treat to have your wine waiting on you when you arrive, typically already nine the room if you've planned in advance
     
  6. NewOrleansSlimm

    NewOrleansSlimm VIP Whale

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    few years back my friends and I flew southwest to vegas, they each had a bottle of ciroc in there checked baggage. when we got to the hotel, one on my friends had an orange sticker on his bag saying that it was randomly searched by the TSA, they opened his ciroc, then left the cap loose before closing his suitcase up and throwing it in the plane...he had half a bottle of vodka and peach ciroc scented clothes
     
  7. bardolator

    bardolator Lifelong Low Roller

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    Wine used to ship in foam molds that hold 3 bottles per layer. I haven't seen a 2-bottle version. As a free alternative, if you know someone who get wine shipped, you could ask for a foam insert from a box and cut it down. You stand a greater than average chance of getting your bag inspected when you do this. As mentioned above, it is not rare to have booze stolen or tampered with- both have happened to me- so you are taking a chance.
     
  8. Ernie Vegas

    Ernie Vegas Low-Roller

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    I flew 2 cases to Denver on SouthWest as my checked luggage. I had them in boxes with Styrofoam inserts and gel packs, which was then sealed in a plastic garbage bag inside the box to add a layer of protection for other folk's luggage just in case they were to break in-flight. Both were opened and inspected by TSA and the boxes were retaped. Nothing missing, nothing broken. Nothing really worth stealing, either. That's why I didn't want to pay to ship them UPS.
     
  9. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Bubble warp in the checked luggage has always worked for me.
     
  10. Aces and Eights

    Aces and Eights VIP Whale

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    Thanx for all the responses! I'll have to think about them all. They all have their advantages and maybe one disadvantage each (trustworthiness of particular TSA employees, cost, etc.).

    NOS - At least the vodka was clear although I don't know if the alcohol affected the color and the wear of the clothes. One time I opened my bag to find they put someone else's prescription goggles in one of the pockets. I called the airport and left a message to find out how to return them. I never got a call back. Someone must have been pissed.
     
  11. h_upmann

    h_upmann Low-Roller

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    Packing white wine is totally safe because it never spills or breaks.
    Red wine always spills and/or breaks. Especially if it's $$$.
     
  12. willywilkes

    willywilkes Low-Roller

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    I've used wine diapers before- they are pretty much plastic bags with a padded diaper liner inside to absorb if it breaks. I've flown a few times that way and had no breakage. The seal at the top is like a cheap ziplock so depending on the break I could still see potential for some leakage out of the bag.
     
  13. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    Seems like ridiculous hoops to jump through to save a few bucks.

    The town has some of the best wine lists anywhere.

    Try something new.

    You are on vacation after all.
     
  14. Aces and Eights

    Aces and Eights VIP Whale

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    Even though I couldn't bring in the same wine that the restaurant has in order to use corkage, I've seen their wine selling for $180 when I've paid $50 for it. Even including corkage, that's an extra $100. Las Vegas restaurants do have good wine lists, but I can't justify paying over $100 extra for wine (although I have before). Wines that are $100 are probably well over $300 at these restaurants. I remember seeing the wine list at a restaurant which only had 3 or 4 wines under $100. The other 200 bottles were over that and even up to $1000 to $10000. I typically pay around $20 for wine, but I do pay over $40 on up to $100 (rarely).
     
  15. bardolator

    bardolator Lifelong Low Roller

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    Agree that the way airlines now operate, it is not easy to ship wine in quantity as part of one's luggage. Used to be a lot easier.

    I know at least one restaurant in Vegas that sells affordable wine at retail plus a modest corkage fee. It's nowhere near the casinos, though.
     
  16. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    I would agree that Vegas tends to charge very heavy for the wine. And, even if on comps, you still have the tip to deal with.
     
  17. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    Many ways to take liquids, and every one of 'em works until the time one doesn't work for you. Having said that, the Vinnibags are good. We just use the shipping containers from wineries. We always hold on to one good one each in two-, three-, six- and 12-bottle configuration.
     
  18. shokhead

    shokhead No big spender unless eating drinking having fun!

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    Me too and you can get cases that hold a bottle and not to $$.
     
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