Importing wine from France to U.S.

TheFoo · Dec 8, 2010

We are trying to import a vintage bottle of wine from France for my father's birthday on December 20 (a little less than two weeks from now). The wine in question is a 1940 Cheval Blanc. However, as I understand it, it is illegal to ship the bottle into the country unless through a licensed courier/importer.

Does anyone have experience with this who can suggest a courier/importer to use? Thanks!

itsstillmatt · Dec 8, 2010

You really need to ship something that old cold, and I don't think it is easy to do that quickly. Why not search the US for a few bottles?

TheFoo · Dec 8, 2010

Originally Posted by iammatt

You really need to ship something that old cold, and I don't think it is easy to do that quickly. Why not search the US for a few bottles?

We've been looking--no luck.

tattersall · Dec 8, 2010

I've used DHL and they were great but it was for stuff nowhere near that old. Importing can be tricky and your wine or spirits may be held for quite a while as it clears customs. I'd think you were already taking a tremendous risk on any old bottle, but knowing it may sit in a heated warehouse for days would be a deal breaker for me.

The vox solution would be simply to fly to France and bring the bottle back yourself...

I've had friends buy from restaurants, but you'll get screwed on price.

Manton · Dec 8, 2010

Never had a '40. Take notes plz.

TheFoo · Dec 8, 2010

Originally Posted by Manton

Never had a '40. Take notes plz.

He probably won't share it with me.

Manton · Dec 8, 2010

Originally Posted by mafoofan

He probably won't share it with me.

That's inexcusable!

gomestar · Dec 8, 2010

if you don't want to ship it, ask the guys at Sherry-Lehman or Crush if they can obtain a bottle.

TheFoo · Dec 8, 2010

Originally Posted by gomestar

if you don't want to ship it, ask the guys at Sherry-Lehman or Crush if they can obtain a bottle.

Sherry-Lehman can't, or won't--haven't talked to Crush.

gomestar · Dec 8, 2010

it is a very short turnaroud time for a very old vintage (a vintage that isn't 1945, mind you), so I'd be surprised if anybody could really find it in 2 weeks.

TheFoo · Dec 8, 2010

Originally Posted by gomestar

it is a very short turnaroud time for a very old vintage (a vintage that isn't 1945, mind you), so I'd be surprised if anybody could really find it in 2 weeks.

Well, I found a few bottles at a couple of merchants in Europe myself.

HORNS · Dec 8, 2010

Boy, that's hard to do - you basically need an individual to be a "mule" for the wine, considering the time constraints.

gomestar · Dec 8, 2010

what about Terra e Sole out of Berlin? They have a '40 CB and can ship in 4-8 days.

TheFoo · Dec 8, 2010

Originally Posted by gomestar

what about Terra e Sole out of Berlin? They have a '40 CB and can ship in 4-8 days.

They are one of the merchants we found who has it, but they are unresponsive to e-mails. We have another merchant called "Wine-mania" in France who promptly sent us photos showing us the fill level, bottle condition, etc. Of course, we can find little to nothing on their reputation and they have not responded to questions about how the wine's been kept.

tattersall · Dec 9, 2010

Originally Posted by mafoofan

They are one of the merchants we found who has it, but they are unresponsive to e-mails. We have another merchant called "Wine-mania" in France who promptly sent us photos showing us the fill level, bottle condition, etc. Of course, we can find little to nothing on their reputation and they have not responded to questions about how the wine's been kept.

There's the rub - 70 years is a long time - I don't imagine wine-mania has been the sole owner. All that bottle needs at some point in its long life is half a day in the trunk of a car under the blazing sun to turn it to salad dressing. You'll also want to make sure that Hardy Rodenstock didn't "source" it...

Importing wine from France to U.S.

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