Yet another Tip from the prolific Stan Gower. Make sure your samples arrive in one piece.

The following packaging has worked so far for me. It just “squeaks in” as a large letter, even though the thickness is a couple of mm over the 20mm allowed in that category.

1.  I fill 5 X 12ml sample tubes with wine, (see empty tube at right), and I put those 5 “top to tail” with a tissue threaded under and over, so 2 tubes are between the visible ones, under the tissue. I bought 100 sample tubes for stock.

2.  I fold over the cardboard, generally made from an old manila folder, or back off a writing pad. I staple this as shown while keeping the 5 tubes flat.

3. I then trim, leaving top flap wide enough to take 2 X 55c postage stamps. I cover the sharp ends of the staples with a strip of sticky tape to make them safe to handle. I trim the corners, then add a 2^nd, broader sticky tape as shown, again covering the sharp ends of the staples.

4. Add postage stamps, write out an address label and stick it on the front, with a sender’s address on the back. 

I then e-mail my testing laboratory service, advising that a sample is on the way, and I specify what analysis or tests I require. 60ml is large enough for most tests, and even for a quick, “taste and report”. 

This is a very cost effective way to send 60ml of wine to your testing laboratory without having to drive there. The laboratory then simply e-mails back the report, and advises you of the cost for the service.