Wine purchase.

I have taken wine as checked luggage on several domestic flights with no problems especially if they use the foam cases. As for the US, you are limited to two liters, 2 bottles (?) but the duty for six bottles would be small if customs assess you. The bigger problem is that checking the wine could be pretty hard on the wine depending on time of year travel and temperatures.

We are going in July for 22 days, and will be in the hometown of Andrea Bocelli, which I have been able to locate his family wine. It is VERY hard to purchase from the states, but I have done so. The problem with that is it came from europe, and the shipping was really extreme. Hope to be able to get about 6 bottles there and the cost can't be as bad as getting it through the places that I have in the past. Plus the excitement of purchasing it right there.

This has been discussed here many times. The shipping/mailing cost is substantial, thus people have used checked baggage as you're suggesting. Obviously it's important that the wine be properly packaged, if you've ever seen the typical airline baggage handler in action, baggage is sometimes thrown onto and off the baggage loading ramp and into baggage vehicles, thus the bottles should be protected from smashing into each other.

We understand Naomi. The real special finds are not available on the export market. Cost-Co carries Banfi..(disappointing sigh...) I so wish I could get a hold of some special Lake Trasimeno wines and vin santo... (another sigh...)

This info is for you. It may be a tad outdated considering how much it costs to carry a second bag, but it's the best I've seen anywhere...

I don't know how to make the cool links in my emails the way Kent does...

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/instructions/carrying_wine_home.htm

Hi Naomi,

We are very fortunate in the Northwest to have a company that does nothing but import wines from small Italian vineyards. It's called Small Vineyards. Check out their link and they should be able to tell you if you can get the Bocelli that they import locally. http://www.svimports.com/portfolio.html

Good luck!

Thanks April, but I have checked with them and it wasn't available through them at the time. But, I would like to be able to buy some for myself right from the source, and I know that you all understand. I had some shipped when I was there in 2007 and the shop that sent it for me really did a great job. It was packed in the styro wine packinging, and I saved one of them, but I don't want to carry it with me. I may check and see if I can get the styro cases at Mailboxes etc, for purchase.

We carried a case of wine through check baggage last year. We did have to buy a duffel bag though, and just wrapped the bottles in clothes. Amazingly, nothing broke and customs didn't say a word. Bring a separate bag with you and it should be fine.

Naomi....

As long as you can package the wine so as not to break, bringing along a second bag to check is probably your cheapest option. We shipped a case back from Florence last year, and it cost us about $130 US just for the shipping.

Just wanted to let anyone who is interested, that I have found a great place to get Italian wines, from small vinyards here in the US. He is an importer, and the prices are truly great, plus the shipping is totally reasonable. He has roots in Italy, and makes trips over there frequently. I am telling you this cause I ordered a case from him, just got it and the wines are truly find. Super Tuscans, and baby tuscans along with some good Chainti. http://www.winesfromitaly.com/default.htm is the website. Just wanted to share this, as I am going in the summer and wanted to bring some back, but this leaves me open for anything truly different, and not having worry with bringing a load back.

Do the wine merchants in Italy sell styro packaging? I also would like to bring home 6 bottles when I visit.