Temperature-controlled shipping (reefer delivery) means transporting goods while keeping them at a steady, cool temperature the entire way. Wine is remarkably sensitive to changes in temperature, and in a Japanese summer the back of a truck or a warehouse can grow astonishingly hot. Cool-chain delivery is what lets us bring wine to you in the same condition it left the estate.
A common misconception: is room temperature fine for wine?
People often say wine keeps at "room temperature." But that phrase really means the cool cellars of Italy or France (around 12 to 15C). A Japanese room in high summer, or the inside of a closed car, is not "room temperature." Left for long in an environment above 30C, wine deteriorates quietly but surely.
Why summer transport harms wine
Wine exposed to heat loses the sharpness of its aromas, and its fresh fruit turns heavy and cooked, like reduced jam. The technical term is heat damage (maderization). In bad cases the cork is pushed up and the bottle leaks. Once the delicate aromatics are cooked off by heat, chilling the bottle again will not bring them back.
| Temperature | Effect on wine |
|---|---|
| 10 to 15C | Ideal, safe even for long-term storage |
| 18 to 22C | Fine for drinking now, not for long keeping |
| Sustained above 25C | Heat damage sets in slowly |
| Above 30C, inside a car | Dangerous even briefly; aroma and fruit are lost |
Wisdom from the source: Puglia's cool cellars
The battle between heat and wine has been fought at the source for centuries. In the Salento area of Puglia in southern Italy, home of Doppio Passo, which we import into Japan as the first and exclusive importer, summer temperatures climb close to 40C. The region's traditional farmhouse, the masseria, is built from local "carparo" limestone with walls nearly half a metre thick. Families also used the underground stone chambers that once pressed olive oil as cellars to rest their wine. No electricity, just the cool of stone and earth protecting the wine. Reefer shipping is, in effect, a modern recreation of that wisdom.
Receiving and storing wine in a Japanese summer
Wine carried cool all that way is wasted if the box is left sitting in the entryway. A few small habits make all the difference when receiving wine in summer.
First, schedule delivery for a time when you will be home. The worst outcome is a missed delivery that leaves the box waiting in a sun-baked depot or truck. Once it arrives, move it, still in its box, to a cool spot out of direct sunlight. Even if you will not open it right away, the coolest place in the home, such as under-floor storage or a north-facing room, is best. Even without a wine fridge, moving the bottle to the vegetable drawer a few hours before serving brings the aromas right back.
Federico's pick
From July through September, when it is hottest, we ship delicate wines by temperature-controlled delivery. A bottle I often pour as a safe summer choice is Puglia's Doppio Passo Primitivo. With its generous fruit and soft, easy finish, it is delicious even lightly chilled and sits happily on the summer table.
For the whole journey a wine takes from the estate to your table, see How wine reaches Japan.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is reefer delivery the same as a chilled courier service?
A. The idea is close, but wine is best kept around 10 to 15C. That differs from an ordinary refrigerated or frozen courier, which can chill things too much.
Q. My wine arrived slightly warm. Is it alright?
A. If it was only brief, resting it a few hours in a cool place is fine. A light chill in the vegetable drawer before serving brings the true aromas back.
Q. Do I need reefer delivery in winter too?
A. In winter ordinary delivery rarely causes trouble, so we reserve temperature-controlled shipping mainly for the hotter months.
Q. What is the most common mistake?
A. Leaving the received box in the entryway, on the balcony, or in the car trunk. All that cool transport can be undone in the final few hours.
In the hot season especially, one small step after delivery changes the taste. Receive with care and enjoy your summer wine.
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