Temperature issues in fine wine transportation

Abstract

New Zealand wine exports are growing rapidly year-by-year. 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 temperatures and large temperature fluctuations that might degrade/damage the wine quality.

This thesis focused on the possible temperature fluctuations on major shipping routes under various conditions. Data recorders have been put in sample containers sent from New Zealand to destination ports and all temperature records have been retrieved and analysed. The sample containers included general containers and containers with an insulated temperature protection liner.

Areas been covered in this thesis are: the New Zealand wine industry; acceptable temperature to maintain wine quality; possible temperatures during transport; and factors during wine transport.

This study has reinforced that quality control is very important during the entire length of the wine supply chain. Some further suggestions have been given for future studies. Some possible ways to eliminate or mitigate the temperature fluctuation, which threaten the quality of wine during the transport phase, are also discussed.