Martini & Rossi Asti: How long can I store?!
Martini & Rossi Asti: How long can I store?
I'm getting married in Hawaii (from midwest) in July of 2009. My wedding is going to be pretty pricey so I'd like to do as much as possible soon. I need about 30 bottles for my guests (welcome bags in their rooms) and would like to buy them now since it's pretty good and pretty cheap. Would it be a bad idea to get them now and store them until then? Please answer only if you know the answer and I promise to do the same if you ask a question... =D Additional Details
1 day ago
I'm planning on having them shipped (along with a lot of other items) to the hotel just before the wedding. My concern is having to do things last minute when I get there.
Answers: 1 day ago
I'm planning on having them shipped (along with a lot of other items) to the hotel just before the wedding. My concern is having to do things last minute when I get there. You're probably okay with buying the wine now and holding it until July of 2009, but you may run into problems getting to Hawaii.
There are restrictions on transporting alcohol from state to state. For instance, it is illegal to ship alcoholic beverages though the Post Office. Generally when alcohol is shipped, it is by ground carrier, like UPS or FedEx Ground.
There are also restrictions from state to state on how much alcohol can be shipped, either from a given state or into a given state. One of the problems you will run into is that bringing better than a case of alcohol into Hawaii, you won't have paid the Hawaiian excise tax. Technically, it could be considered bootleg wine and subjecct to confiscation.
You can also run into problems with your home state, they may well restict the amount of alcohol you can take out of the state.
Worst case scenario is that you'll have to have a warehouse here ship the Asti to a warehouse in Hawaii, probably by sea.
Your best bet is to simply start putting aside the money you intend to use to buy the Asti with and just buy it in Hawaii when you finally get there. You can probably arrange in advance with a wine merchant before you leave for Hawaii to have the wine in stock so that you know it's there. At the very least you need to check into the regulations regarding the transportation of wine. Source(s):
Been shipping and receiving "hazardous" materials (or more accurately restricted materials) for several years. Keep them cool,dark and dry. No direct sunlight.
And don't move them around alot.
I don't recall if they have real cork stoppers but regardless store them on their side or slanted neck down to keep the cork/seal wet.
If you do all that,
They'll be fine.
But then again How are you going to get them to Hawaii?
Martini & Rossi isn't that expensive. Probably not worth the hassle. Get them there and then for sure no worries. She is right about cool and dark place but they are not corked. Do not store them that way. Store them upright only. If you slant or lay them down they will foam when you open them and that is a complete waste. How are you going to get them there? If it is the same Asti as here (Europe) it is not meant for keeping. It is pumped out to be drunk rather than stored. If where you source it from has had it for a year or so then you keep it for another two it will certainly be past its best. Is the saving going to be significant enough to risk the wine not being in tip top condition on your big day???
I would leave it until late next year to get them... or better even spring 2009. That would still give you plenty of time and give you a ar better chance of everything being OK with the wine.