Fragile products with severe logistical constraints
To age properly, wine needs oxygen to contribute to the chemical modification of its molecules. However, too much oxygen is detrimental, and has a negative impact on organoleptic qualities such as aroma, color and structure. Wine is a product that is highly sensitive to its environment: sudden variations in temperature, too low or too high a humidity level (it should be between 50 and 75%), too much light (ultraviolet rays are very damaging), vibrations or poor aeration can affect the quality of wine, even through the bottle As with all noble products, special care is taken when it comes to packaging for shipping. Packaging must be adapted to the fragility, shape and size of the bottles, as well as being strong enough to be worn, and absorb vibrations as well as possible For transport, loading and unloading must be carried out quickly and smoothly, to avoid excessive temperature variations. Trucks or containers must be fitted with insulating covers and temperature sensors, as well as temperature control systems, i.e. air-conditioning or efficient heating depending on outside conditions, to ensure a constant temperature.
Finally, for storage, warehouses must be insulated and equipped with the same temperature regulation technologies, be free of any thermal bridges, and benefit from constant and regular hygrometry with the necessary equipment to regulate it, as well as ad hoc ventilation.
Traceability is a major factor in the wine industry, firstly because the products are classified as foodstuffs, and secondly because a large number of intermediaries are involved: estates, primeurs, bottling centers, packaging lines right up to transport trucks or containers, warehouses, distribution centers, wine merchants and the cellars of final consumers. This is a vital issue, as wine is subject to frequent laboratory checks, and to strict food safety regulations
Many specialists use air freight, with cargo planes equipped with temperature-controlled containers for international shipments. For example, nearly 2 million bottles of Beaujolais wine are flown to China, as they can only be distributed from the 17th day before their official launch.
