Packing & Moving Your Wine Collection

For a wine connoisseur, one of the things in their priority list is packing their precious collection. A large number of wine is a valuable investment to keep so every precaution should be taken in order to ensure safe transportation. In this post, we will guide you through every step - from appraisal to special considerations, and packing.

Appraisal
Hire someone to have your wine collection appraised. Ask your local wine merchant if they know of a credible appraiser for your vintages. Wine appraisers may charge a flat fee or an hourly rate. Moreover, you should take an image of your wines and document its content and let the moving company know you will be moving high-value wines.

Special arrangements may also be required to make sure your collection will arrive safely to your new home. You will have to complete a high-value inventory form (this is provided by your sales representative during pre-move survey). This form indicates that your collection is not limited to minimal liability. Your moving company will also discuss protection plans and may offer replacement protection at competitive rates. Availing these coverage will protect your wines from any loss or damage during transport. Remember to get a copy of your appraisal. 

Legal considerations
When planning to move, check the state's policies on alcohol beverage control. Some may have restrictions with the amount of alcohol you can bring in for personal use. 

Packing
In preparing your wine for the big move, the packaging matters. Use specially designed box for wines and fragile items that can be purchased from a liquor store or your local moving company. Secure the bottom and sides of the boxes so they can carry the weight. Styrofoam boxes are a good option for packing wines as they can isolate temperature and provide adequate protection. Corked wines should be stored upside down or on their sides to keep the corks wet. Opened bottles should not be packed and as always, don't forget to label the box with "Fragile" and "This side up" to alert the movers. 

Temperature
In general, the older the wine, the more subtle taste it will give. To ensure the finest wine experience on your new home, the storage should be carefully selected. Extreme changes in temperature may affect the appearance and flavor of the wine. In fact, most moving companies would agree that the best temperature for wine storage is 55 degrees. On the other hand, white wines may be less susceptible to damage by temperature.

Professional movers suggest transporting a small vintage collection by car under ideal atmospheric conditions. You can rent a climate-controlled van to move your treasured wines. The bill-of-lading from the moving company should indicate the temperature of the truck they provide. 

The best season to move wine is early spring or late fall. As much as possible, avoid moving them during summer as the temperature is high; winter months will make your wine slushy thereby altering its flavor. You don't want that to happen! If you will move during summer or winter and want your collection to be packed accordingly, hire a professional moving company. You will have to complete a claim should there be any unexpected events.

Unloading

Your movers will prepare an inventory list prior to loading. You should also have your own checklist and once your wine collection has reached your new place, note it on the inventory, including any damages or loss. 

Unpacking
After considering all the necessary precautions in packing, storing, and transporting your wines, bottle shock (shaking within the bottle) might occur. To avoid losing the flavor when opened too soon, let the bottles rest for at least seven days after the shipment.

Lastly, get a quote from several moving companies to see which offer is best suited for you.

Cheers to a pleasant moving day! For more details on how to protect fragile items, click here.