islandmom

How is it possible to ship Champagne from the region with the new liquid laws to the USA? Can I use a Fedex account?

Sarastro

There was a relaxed approach to wine shipments in the US, allowing them in most states. Something happened recently and the archaic laws in many states were enforced anew.

You may need an importer´s license to get wine shipments through customs, which enforces the laws of the states into which your shipment enters the USA, as well as to have the shipment subsequently shipped to your state of residence if different from the shipment´s arrival state.

You may need to do a bit of checking to assure you will indeed receive your shipment. There will be no difficulty in finding someone to make the shipment from France, the obstacle will be getting your shipment through customs and onward to your residence.

kerouac

The Champagne houses will certainly be happy to take care of the shipping if you buy an appropriate amount.

J62

I've never done it, but I've heard you can get wine shipped to a local wine shop if you know one. Check with your local wine shop to see if they'll receive a delivery for you.

Rules definitely vary from state to state.

J62

You can also bring wine with you as checked baggage on the airplane. Most wineries have polystyrene shipping cases they can pack for you, or just put a few in your checked suitcase.

Unless it's a special vintage you may find the same wine available in the US for a lower retail price, before even factoring in shipping. My local wine shop can order just about any wine I want through his distributor network.

ira

Hi im,

Whether you can ship to your home depends on the laws of the State in which you live, eg, there are very few wineries that will ship to GA because of the paper work.

FedEx won't handle it if it is prohibited.

You can bring home a case or so in your checked luggage. A bottle weighs about 3 - 3.25 lbs.

With the Euro at about $1.3 you can find some bargains, if you know your champagne.

I think that the Cremant d'Alsace has a much better cost/benefit ratio.

Enjoy your visit.

PalenQ

With the Euro at about $1.3 you can find some bargains, if you know your champagne.>

But IME do not automatically assume that with shipping charges the same bottle of bubbly may not be as cheap or cheaper if bought in your local wine shop - espcially if a broad enough brand like in Cotsco's, Trader Joe's etc.

kerouac

Basically, it is often only worthwhile to ship something to which you are addicted and which is not available at any price where you live.

I am nevertheless curious whether one can save money by shipping a case of a famous brand like Mumm or Veuve Cliquot back home instead of buying it whereyou live. Maybe, maybe not. But I do understand the psychological thrill of shipping it yourself rather than going to the Liquor Barn.

Bazonia

A few years ago, while in Burgundy, we had, I think, six cases of wine shipped to us from a seller there. He assured us it would be easy to pick it up at the JFK airport. We live in New Jersey, so we thought it would be worth the trip, and the savings.
Quel nightmare. Three trips to JFK and one trip into Brooklyn to get an importer's license, and we finally got our wine one day before it was going into "deep storage", and even tougher to pry away from the system.
I would never do it again, and you are wise to research ahead.
Maybe other people have had a smoother experience, but I will leave importing to the pros from now on. We bring some bottles home in our luggage and buy great wine from our local wine expert.
Oh, and we make sure to sample plenty while in France.
Baz

ekscrunchy

I think it would be a total waste to ship something as mundane as the NV yellow-label Veuve Clicquot or any other name brand non-vintage wine.

As a comparison, maybe Kerouac can give us some Paris prices for big name brands like that one. In my area, for example, a bottle costs about $36 or so depending on the retailer.

Here is a price list of some Champagnes, just for comparison sake; this shop will ship to many states, by the way.


http://www.pjwine.com/Merchant2/merc..._Code=105+1014


At least try to find something interesting and even then, I would probably take it in my luggage rather than ship.

kerouac

The Carrefour website lists Veuve Cliquot at 34.30€. Draw your own conclusions.

You can compare all of the other prices at www.carrefour.fr

ekscrunchy

Conclusion drawn. And quartered! Thanks for the confirmation!

ekscrunchy

Incredible that the prices for Champagne are lower in my local NY store than they are at a supermarket in Paris! Much better values on still wine.


http://www.sherry-lehmann.com/catego...kling?limit=50

kerouac

Of course, don't forget to add your local sales tax to your prices to get the real price (but it's still somewhat cheaper, I think).

ekscrunchy

Quite incredible!

My local store, which includes tax in the prices, as do many NYX wine shops, charges $42 per bottle of VC, which is still LESS than the price in a Paris supermarket!

I did noticed good values in the Carrefour link on some still wines, as compared to those here in NYC. But not so great as to merit schlepping them back to the US...

ira

>Incredible that the prices for Champagne are lower in my local NY store than they are at a supermarket in Paris!<

France has a very high tax on alcohol.

French wine is cheaper in Amsterdam than it is in Paris.

ekscrunchy

NYC has a high tax on alcohol as well!

ekscrunchy

Also, the French still wine and sparkling wines other than Champagne carry prices on the Carrefour site that are far lower than in the US.

It is only the Champagne whose pricing seems high.

kerouac

Of course, anybody actually shipping champagne from France will certainly get the VAT (19.6%) removed and probably the health care tax as well.