I found the $10 secret to packing wine safely

This wine loving traveller has the art of flying with wine in your luggage down pat. Here are her tips on how to avoid mishaps.

Wine bottles are deceptively strong and they’ve been shipped around the world for centuries. 

Sure, seeing your luggage auditioning for Cirque du Soleil with baggage handlers and shooting onto the luggage carousel is scary when there’s a glass bottle inside, but I’ve discovered a little bubble wrap – in the right places – goes a long way.

Over the years, I’ve brought home more than 60 bottles of wine without spilling a single drop. Needless to say, I love wine. Who doesn’t?

And for me, wine isn’t just about what variety is in the glass; it’s about the memories that come with it.

Discovering local drops on holiday and sharing a bottle with friends and family is one of life’s small but meaningful pleasures. As an Aussie expat living in Dubai – where alcohol is both expensive and limited in variety – I make the most of every trip back to Australia and max out my personal allowance.

WineSkin bags are designed to avoid bottle breakages.

How to avoid shiraz soup

My packing secret is the WineSkin bag: a bottle-shaped pouch with bubble wrap on the inside that completely envelops and protects your precious vino.

Developed in the United States, WineSkins are leak-proof and designed to cushion bottles from impact, preventing breakages. After using WineSkins for the past five years, I’ve yet to open my bag to discover a broken bottle.

They come in single-use or reusable options – a thoughtful touch for the sustainability minded. Because I hate waste and regularly bring back wine, I choose the reusable version.

It works just like a padded envelope but with two adhesive seals. After pushing the air out, close the first seal, then close the second. The reusable version has Velcro seals instead, but the process is identical. When not in use, it folds flat and doesn’t take up much space in your luggage.

There are plenty of variations online and in bottle shops that could do the trick. Some are cylinder-shaped, almost like a large stubby holder made of bubble wrap. They provide decent padding overall but there’s no snug protection around the neck, which is a bottle’s weakest point. If the bottle is going to break, that’s where it will happen.

You should also individually wrap your bottles rather than putting them all together – each neck needs support. Another drawback is that cylindrical options don’t have a seal, so if the bottle breaks, your suitcase will be soaked.

WineSkins are available on Amazon and start in packs of two ranging up to eight – usually in the single-use version. Look out for them on sale and you’ll likely pick them up for under $10 each. You may also spot them in high-end wine shops or at cellar doors. Kent Street Cellars, for example, sells the resealable version for $9 a pop.

Be smart about what you pack around your wine bottles.

Cushion the blows

It’s a good idea to provide extra cushioning by surrounding the bottle neck with clothes destined for the laundry. I also use items I don’t care as much about, such as a rain jacket or T-shirts that have seen better days. I’m also careful with where I place bottles in my luggage. Avoid the edges or corners, and place the bottles in the centre of your case.

The Australian Border Force allows passengers aged over 18 to bring up to 2.25 litres of alcohol duty-free into Australia – or three 750ml bottles of wine.

And it goes the other way too. Depending on where you’re travelling, you might take your favourite drink to enjoy at your destination and save money while you’re at it. For instance, Fiji allows visitors to bring 4.5 litres of wine or three litres of spirits per adult.

Whether you’re bringing home that special bottle from Tuscany or taking your go-to drop on holiday, where there’s a will, there’s a way. With a WineSkin, you’re all set for smooth sailing. And sipping.

Originally published as I found the $10 secret to packing wine safely