Wine connoisseurs value wine for their complexity, balance, and intensity of flavors, which are all achieved through precise growing, winemaking, and storing practices. Wine is a delicate product that needs to be handled with care.
One of the elements that you should consider when shipping beverages, particularly wine, is temperature. Wines are particularly sensitive to temperature which is why they are traditionally stored in cellars where temperatures are stable. Keeping them at the right temperature while shipping wine in the winter or the summer is a possibility now with thermal blanket insulation foil.
Temperatures And Wine
As a rule of thumb, wine should be kept between 52-57˚F. On the one hand, prolonged exposure to heat (higher than 70˚F) accelerates the premature aging and change the chemical structure of the wine. This will result in oxidization and a flat and unpleasantly sour taste. It is also likely that the wine will start to cook.
On the other hand, prolonged exposure to extreme cold temperatures may damage not only the wine but also the cork and bottle. Due to its alcohol content, wine freezes at a lower temperature, around 20-22˚F. When wine freezes, it will expand like any other liquid. It will, then, push the cork out or break the bottle. When the cork is pushed out, the will oxidize and will no longer be fresh.
Another thing to consider is extreme temperature fluctuations. If you’re shipping wine in the winter to locations with more temperate or warmer climates, temperature fluctuations may cause volume expansion, which will also lead to the cork being pushed out. Apart from potential breakage or leakage, the wine’s chemical structure will also likely change and lose its freshness.
Keep Your Wines In Perfect Condition
As anyone who handles wine knows, shipping wine is a complex process that requires extensive planning and careful implementation. However, understanding your product’s needs is the first step toward transporting them to their destination in the best condition.
Protek Cargo has developed the thermal blanket insulation foil which regulates the temperature of your products. Our thermal pallet covers are designed to cover the pallets that carry your wines and serve as a tough, thermal barrier so your wine remains unaffected by changes in temperature outside. Learn more about our products here.
