Written on 02/11/2020
Frivolous and essential wine accessories
Since confinement is getting a season 2, and wine and good movies are all we've got to wait it out, we might as well be well equipped! Here's a non-exhaustive list, but one that's sure to help you enjoy your wine in all circumstances, especially when you're locked in your own home!
VACUUM PUMP
Since we can no longer share a good bottle with more than two or three people, vacuum pumps and their stoppers are essential to prevent the wine from becoming too stale and turning sour between two meals. Place the silicone stopper on the bottle, and prick it with the pump to extract the treacherous air.
THE DROP STOP
Already widely used, the drip-stop is a simple disc that you roll up and place in the neck to prevent drips staining the pretty tablecloth in the living room.
THE DECANTER
Now's the time to get started: you'll never taste your wines in the same way again! Opening and decanting your wine an hour before your meal can make a real difference. The decanter can be complemented by several accessories to optimize its efficiency...
THE DECANTER
It's a strangely shaped object full of grooves that sits at the entrance to the decanter. Pour your wine over the ball, which then lets it flow into the decanter, aerating it!
CARAFE RACK
This is a vertical metal stem with a base. After rinsing, place your decanter upside down on top of it to give the wine-tinted water a good taste.
BOTTLE BRUSH OR DECANTER BRUSH
Tannin will inevitably attack your decanter, so remember to get a suitable brush to clean it thoroughly after each meal.
BLIND TASTING SOCKS
My latest acquisition: 5 black socks to slip bottles into and play with my family. You can try to get as close as possible to the grape variety or the name of the estate, or simply taste a wine without being influenced by its name and therefore be as close as possible to your own tastes and preferences.
COOLER
Indispensable for rosés and white wines, a cooler can come in a variety of forms: bags, pots, buckets... For aesthetic reasons, I've personally opted for a terracotta pot that I leave in the fridge and take out as needed.
You're all set to enjoy your best bottle and have fun!
