As with everything, wine transportation has changed throughout the ages too. Over the centuries, we have moved from the use of animal skins slung over a persons back, through various types of vessels carried on one's head to wooden barrels, tanks of all sizes carried on oxen or horse drawn wagons, train rolling stock, trucks and trailers. Naturally, as we have changed our wine transportation methods, we have also improved our ability to maintain the quality of the wine and therefore its commercial value.

Bulk Transportation - In the beginning, there was not much need for bulk wine transportation as life was simpler and the need may well have been just to carry it next door. But as interest in wine grew, especially during the periods of Greek and Roman dominance, that all changed. Perhaps the first significant event that made wine transportation truly possible was the creation of the wooden wine barrel. These barrels created with the cooperage skills of the Germanic peoples during Roman times meant that wine could be sealed and transported with comparative ease. The use of wine barrels combined with oxen or horse drawn carts was the primary transportation method for the longest period in history.

The expansion of the exploration and settlement of our world to the Americas, Australia and other lands also brought about changes for the wine industry especially in the area of wine transportation. There was an ever growing demand for new and improved ways to carry larger quantities. Wine barrels certainly continued to be the dominant container during this period but the expansion of the known world lead to the use of ocean going vessels while on the ground just about everything was used, even horses and mule-trains.

 Uncorked Ventures-Hard to Find Wine, At the Right Price.

Large Quantities - Wine transportation of what might be classified as large quantities can be broken into two categories. Firstly there is the large single volume perhaps moving between wineries or from the winery to the bottle operation. Then there is the large bottled quantity that is being shipped from the winery's cellars to the point of sale, intrastate, interstate or internationally.

In the first instance, the wine transportation is generally handled by way of road using varying size tanks depending on the volume and mix of wines to be transported and the distance to be covered. The cost of transportation is always a concern and so the most economic method must be chosen while always considering the prospect of spoilage. Some smaller and more maneuverable vehicles used for wine transportation will be setup with multiple tanks holding around 4500 liters each while other larger trailer type will be a single large capacity tank divided into several separate compartments that can be used independently or in conjunction with each other depending on the need.

During the later half of the 20th century, some very valuable lessons were learned with regard to bottled wine transportation. The predominant part of this learning was what happens to corks and the resultant effect on the wine. The cause of the problem was temperature variations, especially heat increases, that would cause the wine to expand in the bottle and slowly push the cork up and, in so doing, break the original seal and allow oxygenation to commence. Spoilage had raised its head again. This was particularly noticeable during long roads or sea trips. One of the wine growing countries most affected by this was Australia as it began opening up large scale international markets. The development of temperature-controlled transportation - trucks, containers and aircraft - has completely minimized the issue for our modern wine industry.

 For All Your Gift Giving Needs...Cheese and Wine Unlimited...
.. The Peoples Choice for More Than 50 Years!

A large capacity Wine transporter in California

A bulk wine transporter in Australia

Small Quantities - This is the area of most interest to the bulk of wine consumers as we typically trust the wine industry to do everything possible to deliver the product to our purchase point in the best possible condition. However, what are the considerations for us when getting our wine purchases from the retailer, either online or at the store, into our homes or for us to get that special bottle or two from our cellar to our best friend's table. There are many factors here but truly it comes down to much the same issues that the industry itself has to deal. Issues such as temperature variations and distance of travel and terrain all play a part. If we consider some very simple facts, then the rest really is common sense. Basic facts to remember:

• Control the temperature - however, wherever and whenever you are traveling the wine, maintain a constant temperature as best as possible. If you are traveling in the colder months of the year, this is relatively easy. However, if it is the peak of summer in Australia or many parts of the US where temperatures especially in a vehicle can be oppressive, then the use of a temperature controlling vessel makes sense. This even applies to plane travel. We have all experienced that lengthy delay on the tarmack when the cabin temperature reaches sauna levels. It is almost unbearable for you and the wine.
• Stability in transit - wine, especially most reds, is adversely effected by excessive movement. You will, we hope, never see anyone shake a bottle of wine to mix in the sediment at the bottom. Sediment is not bad, in fact, it is a good sign with aged wines and some varietals. But it is not there to be drunk. So just as we would handle a bottle of wine before serving at home in a calm and respectful fashion, so too should do what we can to minimize the shaking, rattling and rolling during our wine transportation. Simple things such as the use of padded wine carriers, laying the bottles on the back seat of the car rather than in the trunk and so on will ensure that it is served at its best.
• Buy locally - unless you are traveling and planning to share one of your impossible to get estate vintage wines with your family or friends, consider buying the wine locally so that wine transportation is hardly a consideration. Today, there is a plentiful supply of exceptional wines available in most areas. Do some research in advance and have less to carry.
• Consider the price - Price is not always, but most often is, an indicator of quality. You can use the price of the wine as a guide to how much importance to place on the wine transportation guidelines above. You can rest assured that there is not much detrimental that you can do to that $5 - $10 bottle of red or white unless you sit it over a fire.