Great Wine Accessories
Whether it’s red, white, rose, or sparkling, a good glass of wine helps us relax, switch off after mentally exhausting tasks, and provides a delicious refreshment, especially when paired with quality food. But to fully enjoy wine, there are some key accessories that should be used. While some are more obvious than others, the 5 items on the following list present some of the most useful accessories every wine fanatic needs. From wine glasses to racks, there are plenty of things you can add to your wine accouterments for a more enjoyable and special experience with every glass, bottle, or celebration.
1. Wine Glasses
Of course, wine glasses are an essential item you need as we can’t recommend drinking from the bottle. While you could, in theory, use any type of glass, wine fanatics should be using the correct types of glasses depending on the wine they’re drinking.
- Flutes: Tall, thin flutes are typically reserved for champagne but they can be used for any sparkling wine if you wish. The glass walls are usually much thinner which makes the glass more fragile but also more elegant and sophisticated.
- White Or Red Wine Glasses: Red and white wine glasses are larger in width and shorter than flutes. The main distinction between white and red wine glasses is that the latter are typically shorter and almost always more rounded than the former. Moreover, white wine glasses vary in size and shape more than red wine glasses, often featuring sharper angles at the base of the glass as it narrows towards the rim.
2. Wine Cooler
Wine coolers come in many different shapes, sizes, and styles and are essential for serving wine at the perfect refreshing temperature. The most popular type of cooler is the classic wine bucket which holds one bottle, neatly covered in ice to keep it cool before and during consumption. A simple add-on to the existing wine bucket would be a stand that conveniently holds the wine bucket at table-level while adding a luxurious yet functional touch to your home decor. Wine bucket stands come in a range of materials from stainless steel to iron or wood, ideal for matching any interior. Other types of wine coolers include cooling jackets/bags which need to be chilled before use, or larger cooling bowls that hold up to 8 bottles.
3. Corkscrews
If your wine is bottled with a cork then you’re going to need a good corkscrew to get any kind of enjoyment out of it. But not all corkscrews are made equally so it’s important to think about what you want from it. If you’re looking for a regular corkscrew for opening bottles easily and casually then you’ll most likely want a simple handheld option with a wooden or metal handle. These handled corkscrews are the most common for their simple yet functional design.
But what if you have extravagant entertainment plans in mind? If you regularly like to invite guests to your home and are somewhat a wine connoisseur, a more fashionable bottle opener should seriously be considered. When opening champagne at special occasions or parties, a champagne sabre provides a flashy alternative to a corkscrew which is guaranteed to elevate the entertainment. Alternatively, if you pride yourself on your home bar then a tabletop/mounted corkscrew could make the perfect, permanent addition to your entertainment space.
4. Wine Bottle Stopper
When you need to store an open bottle of wine, you’ll need a bottle stopper. This useful accessory protects the flavor of your wine and keeps the bubbles bubbling away. Wine bottle stoppers come in many different styles and materials and are usually a part of wine preserver kits. Classic bottle stoppers typically come in stainless steel or brass, featuring a long bullet shape with rubber seals to secure the stopper and make the bottle air-tight. Other bottle stoppers use wood cork to resemble the original cork used to seal the bottle before opening. No matter which style you choose, there are plenty of ways to get creative with bottle stoppers as they come in plain, minimalist designs or decorative and colorful designs.
5. Wine Rack
Storing and displaying your wine should be part of the enjoyment. It’s easy to make a neat display of your wine bottles using a wine rack. These racks come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are most commonly made from materials such as wood or metal. Not only do wine racks provide a convenient place to store your wine bottles, but they also help to arrange them while making an eye-catching visual display. Wine racks also help you when choosing the perfect wine for a dinner or social event as they are easily accessible, meaning you can pull out the bottle to view the type and age of the wine without disturbing other bottles.
Now you know our top recommended accessories that every wine fanatic needs for an immersive and enjoyable wine experience. Whether you’re starting your own home bar, adding to an existing one, or simply want more from your wine-drinking experience, the previous items are a great place to start.