I was actually on vacation when I started writing this blog. I was enjoying a reserve syrah that I brought with me. Part of a case of selected wines I took from my cellar. I usually take a case with me if I am going to be gone for a week or more. My selections will include Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Chardonnay and sparkling wines. Usually limited production or nicely aged wines that I really wish to enjoy when I am relaxing.

 
So it is a bit of a hassle.  Some airlines charge for the extra bag. Some don’t. Kudos to SWA. Get a duffle bag. Not to hide the box, but to put handles on the box. And the bag protects the outside of the box.
 
And, yes, I do take wine glasses with me also. But I do not go overboard. I only take a pair of flutes for sparkling and a pair of general purpose glasses for reds and whites. By the way, they are acrylic so I can have a decent glass on the beach or by the pool. I really dislike using the styrene cups for wine that most resorts and hotels use.
 
I have some good friends who wine from their cellar when they head out to Napa and Sonoma. They ship out a case of aged, finally read to drink wines to have with their meals. They taste the current releases during the day. Then they enjoy the prior vintages in the evening.
 
My wife and I disagree about taking wines with us on vacation. She pretty much does not think it is worth the hassle. However, she will admit she has enjoyed having the wines on the trip. Some of the more memorable vacations include cruising the Caribbean and Hawaii when I did bring wine with me. To her credit, when we know our destination has a Costco, we know we can get some very good wines at very reasonable prices. And we usually do supplement what I take with wine purchased while we are on vacation.
 
Cruising was great. We would sit on the balcony with friends from the adjoining room and sip our wine while the ocean slipped by. Usually we took something to dinner and just paid the corkage. It is tough to find a 15 year old Amarone on a cruise ship. Also nice to have a Le Reve sparkling while watching the sun set. We usually left some wine in the bottle for our server. He appreciated good wine and he appreciated us sharing it with him. We usually had some special appetizers waiting when we arrived at dinner.
 
We also enjoy taking our wine to resorts. I still chuckle when I remember the 5 foot tall, 80 pound, 70-something lady that stepped into the elevator as I was carrying two classes of Simi Russian River Reserve Chardonnay. The beautiful ripe red apple, fragrant Anjou pear, toasty vanilla and fig filled the elevator. This lady inhaled deeply. She smiled brightly and asked where I got the wine. She obviously thought she could head the restaurant or wine store to also have some. When I explained I brought the 6 year old bottle from home, she was disappointed. Then she threatened me with bodily harm if I didn’t share one of the glasses with her. 
                                                                                         
For now, I probably will keep taking wines with me. My niece is getting married in a few weeks. Our kids will be meeting us in Colorado for the wedding. We will open some good wines I bring from the cellar that I really want to share with my family.   I will be sure to bring Black Bart’s Bride for the occasion. Sometimes, taking the wine with me is the only opportunity I may have to share with them. One of my sons will deploy again in January. He will be at the wedding. We will open some of the big red wines I have been aging. It will be one of the few times we will get before he leaves. Taking my wines with me seem like less and less hassle when I can have moments like that.