moving - taking wine out of refrigeration & putting it back

[choosieeats]

I am moving next month (May) locally, within the NY metro area. I will have to disconnect my small wine refrigerator (30-something bottles) so it can go on the truck with the movers. I have about 10 expensive bottles that I am not ready to drink yet. I figured I'd just bring them in the car with me, but.....

1) how adverse will the effects of temperature change likely be on the wine? they will have to be taken out of the wine refrigerator the night before movers come and probably placed back in 24-36 hours later once refrigerator is set up and brought down to temperature at the new place.

2) will vibration (30-40 min) from a short drive matter much?

3) any suggestions on what precautions to take to prevent damage to the refrigerator in transit?

[john gonzales]

You're probably fine. Transport vibration is no issue unless you are going to drink them within a week.
Don't leave them in the car where it can get 85 degrees very easily.
The styro shipper or a big ice chest is the safe idea. If it's going to be 80+ out, it's easy enough to buy a couple of those soft icepacks and put them anywhere inside the enclosure.
As far as any fridge, transport it upright. If it is tilted more horizontally than 45 degrees, it should not be turned on for 6-8 hrs after it is righted.

[Bill Hunt]

I would pick up a styro-shipper, or two, and just before the movers show up, take those bottles out, and place into the shipper. Keep that inside, until you are ready to leave, move to the back seat of your car, and do not stop for a 5-course meal, along the way.

You will be fine. If these are older reds, I'd let them "recline" for a week, prior to serving. Then, let them stand, upright for a full day, or two, and be ready to decant.

I've found that my Landcruiser will hold 19 styro-shippers, and I just run the rear AC, when I drive back from Napa (or otherwise). I have never lost one bottle, even though I do have to move those shippers to the truck, and then down to the cellar. Even had to store a bunch at the Westin at Burlingame's locker, as we had to overnight. SF temps were fine, and I moved the wines in, and then back to the Landcruiser.

Take a bit of care, and you will be just fine. With a good styro-shipper, the temp will rise slowly, and you will not have problems.

Enjoy the move. For me, a move is "a four-letter word," but that is another story.

Hunt

[Brad Ballinger]

Wine experiences vibration when it is first shipped. Vibration is usually a concern when it happens continuously/frequently. Dont sweat it.

Also, unless your wine will be experiencing a HUGE tempertaure fluctuation (hardly likely in NYC in April), don't worry about 24 hours out of the storage unit. Put it the bottles in a styro shipper during the move.

[invinotheresverde]

What Brad said. It's not a big deal, unless it's 110 degrees and you put the wines on your car's roof. ;)