5 Wine Accessories you Should Own (no matter what)
Autumn is a good time for hobbies: there are those who collect part work figurines in installments, and others who collect days without going to the gym. And then there are people like me, who collect different accessories related to wine service and preservation.
There is an abundance of options. Although the choice of available gadgets is enormous, generally speaking the products in question are expensive and occasionally of dubious practicality.
Whether you're a wine novice or a tried-and-true aficionado, these are the five accessories you should own (no matter what).
“Waiter's” corkscrew
This may seem obvious—all you have to do is imagine how tricky it would be to open a bottle without one (screwtops aside). Corkscrews come in all sorts of materials, colors and price ranges.
But of all the ones out there, the first choice among professionals is the so-called waiter's corkscrew. There must be a reason, right?
The right glasses
Do you really need a different glass for each variety? They do exist, of course. But you can save on space by simply having separate glasses for white and red wine.
The best investment comes down to the quality of the material (crystal or glass) and the shape of the glass, because they both have a decisive impact on how we perceive the flavor and aromas of the wine.
At this point, I'd like to share a few tips courtesy of the sommelier Joan Lluís Gómez:
- The diameter of the glass' rim is responsible for directing the wine to the area of interest. Therefore, a glass with a wide rim lets the wine expand horizontally across the tongue, reaching the areas most sensitive to acidity.
- A glass with a narrow rim makes us tilt our head back as we drink, causing the wine to flow toward the center of the tongue. And if the glass has a curved rim, it directs the wine to the tip of the tongue, bringing it into closer contact with taste buds sensitive to sweetness.
Vacuum pump
Once open, wine is at the mercy of oxidation, and we all know that oxygen can quickly become its archenemy. You therefore need a wine preserver that makes it possible to extend the life of a wine by a few days.
The vacuum pump is without a doubt the most commonly used wine preserver.
Decanter
Wine often needs to “breathe.” A decanter is your best ally in filtering out impurities, freeing up aromas and softening hard or bitter tannins.
Although decanting is most commonly done with reds, whites and rosés can also benefit from its effects.
Wine tasting notebook
The best way to train your palate is to taste a lot of wine and retain the information. All you need is something as simple as a tasting notebook in which to jot down your discoveries and impressions.
If you're a social creature to boot, apps like Vivino allow you to share your findings and follow your favorite people in the wine world.
Practicality first. It's easy to get lost amongst design gadgets, ignoring their primary function: To serve and store wine in the most efficient way possible.
The five previously described items are the "musts" to keep in mind. From here on, there is a whole world out there to discover.
Rafa Moreno