Thu August 7th 2008

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Wine Equipment and Accessories

Anyone who enjoys wine is already fairly familiar with some of the common accessories necessary for enjoying it. However, while you may own a corkscrew or a wine rack in your kitchen, other accessories are more ornate. These not only require more space, but they also tend to be more extensive. For example, not every wine lover can afford the space or expense of having his own wine cellar.

Nevertheless, some of these wine accessories aren’t as difficult to possess as you think. With a bit of ingenuity, you can build your own cellar, collect the proper bottles and purchase the right glassware so that you too can have an enviable wine collection!

Wine Storage
From the casual imbiber to the connoisseur, wine lovers everywhere know that a “cellar” is not just a nicety—it’s a necessity! However, few of us are fortunate enough to live in a house with a ready-made wine cellar. The most likely place to build a wine storage space is the dark, cool, cave-like environment of a large basement. However, if you don’t have a basement, you will have to be creative!

One of the main reasons to build your own cellar is that it helps you conveniently store the right wine for any occasion. You can also build your collection, saving expensive vintages for special occasions. Read on to learn more about creating your own wine cellar.

Wine Storage Accessories
Once you have chosen an appropriate place to store your wine collection, you will need a few more accessories to properly furnish it. In addition to wine racks, include some kind of refrigeration unit for white wines. For red wines that may require darker spaces, add some crates to the cellar.

Another key to putting together a good cellar is labels. Not only will a well-organized label system help you locate whatever wine you are looking for, but it will also aid you in properly rotating your collection to prevent your wine from spoiling. Learn more about all of the accessories you should include in your wine cellar.

Wine Bottles
After building a wine cellar and correctly outfitting it with the proper accessories, you are ready to build your collection. However, the art of storing wine doesn’t stop here. Different types of wine will call for specific storage conditions. While darker bottles of red wine should be kept in the darkest areas of the cellar, the light white bottles should be refrigerated.

In fact, many winemakers have taken storage conditions into consideration when they choose what kind of bottle in which to put the liquid. Read on to understand how to choose and store various types of wine for your wine collection.

Wine Glassware
When you are finally ready to drink from your collection, you should be sure to serve it in the proper glassware. According to wine etiquette, specific types of wine require particular glasses. While ports are served in short, small glasses, full-bodied reds are best poured in larger, rounder glasses.

Similarly, champagne is served in tall, slimmer glasses, known as flutes. However, if you are looking for an all-purpose glass, purchase wine glasses that hold 10-oz. Learn more about what types of glassware you should use for any given wine.

More Wine Accessories
Clever wine accessories and carefully considered pieces of equipment make buying, transporting, storing, opening, tasting or serving wine easier and more enjoyable. Choose the right accessories and your wine will look as good as it tastes.

For transporting wine home from the supermarket, delivering a bottle or two to a dinner party, or simply adding a touch of style to an alfresco gathering, a cleverly designed wine carrier is a must. Carriers come in a range of sizes and designs, from the single thermal carrier to the larger multi-carriers. There are also some neatly designed backpack versions available. Choose a wine carrier to suit your lifestyle.

To enjoy your wine at its best, you must serve it at the correct temperature. Always keep a wine cooler to hand. A good idea to ensure that your wine remains at the correct temperature is to use a Bottle Bracelet Thermometer. This clever device monitors and maintains the wine at the desired temperature.

Corkscrews and Stoppers
Choose a corkscrew with a sturdy lever system. The handle must be comfortable, too. Some corkscrews include a seal cutter in the handle for easier opening. Corkscrews range from the basic "waiter's friend" (ideal for travel or that spontaneous picnic), to the more impressive professional-style cork removers.

Be prepared for that "leftover" situation. Special stoppers are available for re-sealing bottles in such a way that the remaining wine lasts for several days without losing its freshness and flavor. These stoppers are particularly effective and useful for sparkling wines.

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