Can you send wine back to the states?
 

Will be in the Alsace region and was wondering if it is O.K. to send wine home.
If so, is it a hassle?
If not, how much can you bring back without causing a stir?

I guess there's something exciting about bringing your own wine home, but we've found that pretty much anywhere except in the very smallest of wineries, you can ask you the US distributor is and buy it back home, either by contacting them and finding the nearest store or having them ship it to you. If you really search, you'd be surprised what's available in the US, and often at less than you'll pay in Europe especially once you ship it and pay duty on it.
Regular shipping could not be trusted for fine wine, it would need to be sent in a "controlled" container -- prohibitive in cost unless you're shipping a truckload.

The duty on still wine is not much. You can bring a couple of cases back with your checked baggage on the airline. Wineshops will have insulated, protective cartons. Only problem is dragging it around, leaving it in the car to bake in the sun, etc.

Shipping it back would be very expensive. ((b))

Hi fish,

Whether you can ship wine home depends on where you live. Some states allow it and others forbid it.

US Customs has become very lenient on bringing wine home with you, since the duty has dropped to only 10%.

Just declare it.

Thanks Folks,
Great advice as usual; any " can't afford to miss wineries or vintages you know of"? My wife likes whites and I prefer reds.

Hi fish,

Have you tried Wine Spectator?

Thanks, Ira.
I don't know what I was thinking.
Imagine using a magazine devoted to wine to look up recommended wines.

Unfortunately, you cannot ship wine to some states and to certain dry counties. :( I've shipped wine to people in the forbidden zone with the contents marked "vinegar" however :P

My favorite wine merchant: http://www.klwines.com/

Oh, and my favorite from the Alsace is Pinot Blanc! Fortunately, it's starting to take off in popularity in the states.