Taking Wine to Europe

[Auburnwine]

When I go to Italy this summer, I would like to take along a couple of bottles to share with any new and generous friends. I'm thinking of a couple of decent Zins.

My question is this: will there be any import hassles bringing two bottles into Italy?

[joeyz6]

For Italy, I don't know, but I'll tell you that it was quite easy to bring back two bottles to France after Christmas. First of all, I didn't declare them. Second, if I had declared them, I don't think there would have been any problem since there were only two. You're allowed a certain number of bottles, depending on the law of the specific country ... I think it's two bottles for both the US and France, but I'm not sure about Italy.

[joeyz6]

Also, regarding what you bring: I had this very experience last night, as you might have read in the post I wrote about it. Just remember that if your Italian friends are as ethnocentric about their wine as my French friends are (not a criticism, that's just how it is in Europe, I think), they are going to remember THIS BOTTLE as what American wine is like. So a very good Zin could work, but you might also think about bringing a really good Cali Cab (go pluck something from Winoweenie's cellar on your way [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img] ) or something else unique like a Finger Lakes Riesling, a Cali Petite Sirah or Virginia Viognier. Just a few thoughts ...

[mrdutton]

Bless you for mentioning Virginia Viognier!

[joeyz6]

Well to be honest Mr. D, I'm not very familiar with it myself, but I've heard it's great and thought it might make an interesting gift for the Eye-talians! [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

[Auburnwine]

Thanks, Monsieur Z6. I'll probably go with a couple of Zins or an Elyse Zin and Petit Syrah.

If worse comes to worst, I'll just have to stand outside the customs house and guzzle them.

[This message has been edited by Auburnwine (edited 03-02-2003).]

[winoweenie]

I'll drink to that!WW [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]

[Glass_A_Day]

The Elyse could not be a better choice!! If you can get your hands on the 2000, that's the way to go. They change a great deal from year to year.