The Pour-fect Gift: 12 Accessories For Wine Lovers

Most wine lovers are already familiar and well-equipped with the tools and glassware essential for top-notch wine service. But as any passionate hobbyist can tell you, there’s always room for a little extra. Think of these wine accessories as the cherry on top: designed with more than mere function in mind, they’ve got style for days and make great gifts – especially to yourself.

Let It Breathe

There’s no better time of year to treat yourself to that great bottle of wine you’ve been saving for ages. You’ll need a decanter of course, and you probably have one. What you probably don’t have, however, are Stemless Aerating Wine Glasses. Proper decanting and aerating wine make all the difference when you open up one of those precious old bottles, but the wait can be interminable. Aptly named Uncommon Goods showcases inventions from creative spirits like Dillon Burroughs, who took the waiting out of aerating and added some excitement to boot. Simply pour the wine into the central chamber of the glass and watch it flow, fountain-like, from multiple chutes. It’s mesmerising and a little strange, but it is effective. Burroughs also recommends placing an ice cube in the chamber to chill whiskey without watering it down.

In a more classic turn, Italy’s premier glass-maker for five centuries Luigi Bormioli has evolved to satisfy an ever-growing and discerning generation of wine connoisseurs. The Supremo decanter may look pretty standard, however it features a revolutionary anti-drip coating to keep tablecloths pristine and facilitate a slow and super-smooth pour when serving from the decanter, which is trickier than you might think. The entire Supremo collection features a convex surface designed to optimise oxidation at the top of glass and preserve aromas below.

Keep It Fresh

Chances are you don’t need another wine stopper, but during these turbulent times, a little laughter goes a long way. Coq au Vin may seem like a bit of a gag gift, but its tapered rubber design fits snuggly into just about any bottle. It’s equally easy to pull out when you realise you may just finish that bottle after all.
[Photo: FRED]

Keep It Cool

The namesake tool of wine temperature-obsessed Corksicle channelled the form and function of nature when they created this chiller and aerator combination. Inspired by an icicle, the gel-filled core freezes in 90 minutes and stays cold without watering down that bottle of wine you forgot to put in the fridge before serving. It works for both red and white wines and also aerates the wine as you pour. The cork top keeps the look classic.

In a similar vein, albeit very different style, the Tempour from Napa Valley-based company Soiree Home was created by former architect, amateur home brewer and aspiring sommelier Andrew Lazorchak. The modular tool solves five problems in one, but necessarily all at once: It chills, filters and aerates so that you can enjoy just about anything from a still-warm white to a sediment-laden gem from the cellar. It also comes equipped with a dripless pouring design and an airtight stopper. Made of stainless steel, it’s sleek, resilient and meant to be used and reused. Once the wine has reached the perfect temperature, snap off the chilling rod and return it to the freezer for the next bottle. As a bonus, the Tempour also comes with a tiny cleaning brush.
[Photo: Soiree Home]

Carry It With You 

Another brilliant invention from the folks at Corksicle is the Eola bucket cooler bag, an ice bucket that doubles as a backpack for effortlessly cool wine on the go. It’s especially great for the beach, or a picnic in the park. The reinforced vegan leather exterior keeps heat and sand on the outside, and two bottles of wine (with ice) on the inside.

For something a little more sturdy, their Neoprene Wine Totes can withstand the elements and basic human clumsiness. Built NY is obsessed with style and peak functionality, so the totes are lightweight yet protective, and their soft, rubbery grip makes them easier to hold on to. As a plus, all designs are machine-washable.

Sometimes all you need is one glass on-the-go. Vinglacé solved that problem and added a temperature control option as well, with their fabulous and functional stemless wine glasses. The double-walled and vacuum-insulated design is made of stainless steel on the outside, glass on the inside, and outfitted with a spill-proof lid. These glasses will keep beverages hot or cold for hours, and they come in a variety of colours and optional laser engraving. This is a wine gift you’ll very likely keep for yourself.

[Photo left: BUILT NY; photo right: Vinglacé]

Keep It Classy

The ultra-savvy wine set tends to revile sparkling wine served in stemless glasses, but it’s hard to hate these festive flutes. In their defence, the bubbly probably won’t stay in the glass long enough to surpass the ideal serving temperature. Handmade from lead-free, extra-resistant borosilicate glass, each flute in this whimsical set has a unique design and tiny character flaws that only add to their artisanal feel. Plus, as long as you can remember if you had stripes, swirls or tiny beads in your hand, you’ll never mistake someone else’s glass for yours.

Perhaps due to its unfortunate name, the Lazy Susan just might be the most underrated service accessory in the industry. Normally allocated to dark dim sum restaurants to facilitate sharing of multiple dishes, there’s no denying the utilitarian genius behind the design. Hammacher Schlemmer added some style to it with their Oenophile’s Lazy Susan: just imagine an animated night with your favourite wine enthusiasts, smelling, sipping and probably spilling wine all over the table while passing the cheese and charcuterie platters to test your pairing skills. This design evokes the winery tasting room experience with a repurposed wine barrel ring and polished pine wood surface. It spins smoothly, thanks to steel ball bearings, and can support up to 113kg of your favourite accoutrements.

[Opener photo and photo below courtesy IWA Wine Accessories]