The Wine Knows

Have TSA restrictions changed the way you buy wine when you're visiting another wine region?

According to a survey by BottleWise, a company that makes wine carriers, many wine travelers have significantly changed the way they handle wine purchases. Here are the results of a survey conducted last month by BottleWise:

-- 41.2% wrap bottles in clothes or bubble wrap and check them in their luggage.

-- 24.4% no longer buy bottles of wine when traveling.

-- 18.1% ask the winery to ship the wine home.

-- 10.4% never travel with wine anyways.

Typically, when I travel to California, I've almost always shipped wine home, even before the TSA began restricting liquid in carry-ons. This was a matter of convenience, as I didn't want to deal with the bottles in my luggage. If I bought just one or two bottles (a rarity), then I would put them in my carry-on. Anymore, I don't bother.

Where the TSA rules have affected me more is taking wine from home to my destination. If I'm flying to a wine competition, I'll try to bring two or three bottles of wine to share at dinner or have as a gift. With the travel restrictions, I don't.

Last year, I decided to drive to a competition in Northern California rather than fly. There were several reasons: I wanted to bring home a fair bit of wine; I wanted to make some stops at wineries in Southern Oregon; and I visited my aunt in California. Most of all, though, was to avoid the hassle of air travel. With the state of the airlines these days, more of us will take a look at whether we want to fly anymore if we can simply drive someplace in less than 12 hours. Of course, then there's the cost of gas. ...