wine by mail in winter

[rm-whiner]

Last year we were traveling through Ann Arbor, MI and stopped at a wonderful wine store (can't remember the name - near the Briarwood Mall?) and bought a couple bottles of Cristalino Cava Brut on recommendation of the staff. Couldn't pass them up for $8. When we arrived home later that week we were stunned by how great this sparkling wine was for the price. I haven't been able to find it locally and have noticed that a few places like wine.com sell it through mail order. Problem is, in my part of the midwest (Southern Ohio) the HIGH temps will be below 30 this coming week. I don't relish bottles sitting on my porch in this weather until I get home. I'm a school teacher, so I can't have it delivered at work. Should I not chance it (with a possibility of the stuff freezing or the cold affecting it's quality?)
Thanks for your input,
RM

[Innkeeper]

Hi RM, and welcome to the Wine Board. Tis much better to ship in winter than in summer. So long as isn't too cold don't worry. Wine can even freeze with too many problems so long as it doesn't push the cork out. The alcohol does lower the freezing point, so if it doesn't stay a the porch overnight, it should be alright.

[Kcwhippet]

I don't think you're looking hard enough. Cristalino is sold in Ohio. I know you can get it in Oxford and in the Cincinatti area, so it's out there. If you don't see it, go to your local fine wine shop and ask the wine manager to order some for you. Sure beats ordering it online and paying shipping charges.

[rm-whiner]

Hey KC-

I'm in Dayton (near Cincy.) Could you tell me the names of wine shops where you've seen it sold in S. OH? Sounds like I might be in business! [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

[Kcwhippet]

I haven't seen it in shops there. I just did a google search with Cristalino and Ohio as search words. Interestingly, one of the results was that it's served by Miami U. If you're having trouble finding it in the shops, you can ask the distributor what shops near you carry Cristalino. The distributor is Bauer & Foss and they're very close to you in Columbus, and in fact their warehouse is even closer in Grove City. Their main office is at 4800 Poth Rd., and their listed phone number is 614-552-7900.

[rm-whiner]

Thanks for the info, KC. I'll give them a call and see where I can get the bubbly! [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]