The perfect "cool" shipping solution?

[ReclineWithWine]

I just stumbled across a shipping solution seemingly known as FedEx Cold Box, which is available in the US.

Details here:

http://www.vengevineyards.com/product/FedEx-Cold-Box

I'm very intrigued! Couldn't find much about this specific solution (for wine) on then official Fed-Ex website. I'm thinking this would be a no-brainer though for most wine aficionados intending to have wine shipped in hot Aussie summer months. "Cool conditions for up to 4 days" should suffice for most shipping scenarios in this country. Personally, I'd happily pay the extra cost for certain orders. Does anyone know of a similar product available in Australia? If not, there may be a gap in the market.

Any thoughts?

Cheers,

Steven

[Waiters Friend]

Yes. It could work. But I am also happy to delay shipping until better conditions prevail.

[ReclineWithWine]

Ditto. Agreed! Holding off until cooler weather comes is my usual approach.

Occasionally though there are times when one might not want to miss out on newly released and "soon to sell out" treasures. In that case waiting too long might not be a good option. That raises the question though why certain wineries would release wines during hot summer months (sadly, it does happen)?

[tarija]

That raises the question though why certain wineries would release wines during hot summer months (sadly, it does happen)?

I have an automatic prejudice with any winery that releases red wines between November and February - that they don't particularly care about the final consumer experience, and it's only about the money.

Any sensible winery ought to know that even brief exposure to high temperature can f--- up a wine. Why bother trying to create a high end wine with supposed "terroir" and other subtleties and then subject it to a high chance of heat damage?

[Polymer]

I agree that it isn't the best...but I think in a lot of cases the economics of delaying sales for 4 months can be tough...Based on some of the conversations I've had there are a lot that would prefer to put more bottle age on their releases but economically it just isn't feasible for them...I don't imagine these very experienced winemakers are completely ignorant about shipping in hot weather, I just don't think they're in a position to do anything about it yet...I'm personally fine with any type of release date (and paying up front) as long as they're also ok with holding it until weather allows for proper shipping...

[Scotty vino]

That raises the question though why certain wineries would release wines during hot summer months (sadly, it does happen)?

I have an automatic prejudice with any winery that releases red wines between November and February - that they don't particularly care about the final consumer experience, and it's only about the money.

Any sensible winery ought to know that even brief exposure to high temperature can f--- up a wine. Why bother trying to create a high end wine with supposed "terroir" and other subtleties and then subject it to a high chance of heat damage?

Browsing the duty-free store in most airports you'll see iconic wine/wines being subjected to some
rather heinous storage conditions, particularly the vast array of display lights.
As the wine lays there getting a tan I think of the effort that has gone into making the wine and how it seems
a shame that it drew the shortest straw by ending up in the duty free store.