Wine equipment

As you start to expand your wine drinking experience you will find advertised and available a wide range of items designed to increase your enjoyment. Like most things in life, some are helpful and some not. The decision though on what works best is a very personal one. In fact, it is as personal as your taste in wine. Here at the dinner party and at most local wine shops we stock all of these items and can help you through the many choices.

The first and perhaps most important decision is to find a good opener. There are many designs and the challenge is to find one that works well with your hand and skill level of opening those bottles with real or synthetic corks. I tend to use the traditional "waiter's" style corkscrew, which can range in price from under $10 to over $60. To some degree, you do get what you pay for, as the expensive ones are made in the town of Laguiole in France. This small town is known for its cutlery and many of the openers made there by the higher quality manufacturers will last you a lifetime with average use. The symbol for cutlery made in this town is a bee on the corkscrew. Those of higher quality will actually have detailed wings and body segments of the bee etched into the metal.

Other styles of openers include the "winged" opener where the wings rise from the side of the opener as it is screwed into the cork. You then just press down on the wings and the cork is forced out of the bottle as the collar of the corkscrew presses against the lip of the bottle. This style of opener is great for folks with limited flexibility in their hands. The "rabbit" opener has two handles that when closed squeeze the lip of the bottle, and then with one movement in and one back the cork is removed.

There are two ways to discover which of these work best for you: Experimentation or to talk to your local shop owner and have them explain how they work and which might be best for you.

One of the biggest current trends in wine equipment is the use of aerators. Wine changes as it is exposed to oxygen, most times resulting in softer, more integrated tannins and more expressive aromatics. As more of a traditionalist, I prefer to see how the wine changes on its own as it sits in a glass. However if you prefer a wine that is more aerated, you have a choice of purchasing the Vinturi, which is very popular right now but slightly more "spendy" at just under $50. Another design for $21, manufactured by Menu, fits snugly into the neck of the bottle. I find it easier to use than the Vinturi, which needs to be held over the glass. However the in-bottle design does not make the gurgling noise that the Vinturi is known for.

Other design choices are available from $20, all of which do a good job of imparting air on the wine and rapidly evolving the flavors.

Another item I like having around is a great decanter. While most recent vintages of American produced wines can benefit from decanting the actual decanter is a nice addition to the table when entertaining. There are many styles available that all do pretty much the same thing and are priced from $40 on up. The decision to pay attention to here is which style is easiest for you to pour.

One item we have found indispensable is the "no drip" pourer. Countless table linens have been ruined at dinner parties from the drop of red wine that runs down the bottle and bleeds onto the light colored table cloth. We recommend the "no drip" pourer stopper that retails for $12.50 and comes in designs with jeweled, stainless, or pewter tops.

Your choices for these items are virtually endless, so come on in and we will take you through all that can enhance your enjoyment of wine.

If there is a topic you would like to read about or questions on wine you can email George@thedinnerpartyshop.com or make suggestions by contacting the Healthy Community section at the Coeur d'Alene Press, akalas@cdapress.com.

George Balling is co-owner with his wife Mary Lancaster of the dinner party a wine and table top decor shop in Coeur d'Alene George is also the managing judge of The North Idaho Fair and Rodeo wine competition. www.thedinnerpartyshop.com.