Temperature Issues in Fine Wine Transportation

Abstract

Wine is a temperature sensitive product. On the shipping route from New Zealand to Major export markets in the northern hemisphere, wine shipments face high equatorial temperatures and large temperature fluctuations that might degrade/damage the wine's quality. This article focuses on the possible temperature fluctuations on major shipping routes under various conditions. Information from data recorders have been collected in sample containers. The sample containers included general containers and containers with an insulated liner. This article has reinforced that quality control is very important during the entire length of the wine supply chain. Suggestions have been given for future studies and possible ways to eliminate the temperature fluctuation are also discussed.