Wine Racks Blog

This is the time of the year when I’m always reminded of the Hans Christian Anderson story, “The Pine Tree”. Do you know that story? I’ll give you a quick breakdown:
In the forest a little pine tree was growing. All he can think about is growing up and is thoroughly embarrassed when a bunny hops over him, because it makes him feel even smaller and less important. The village kids call him the “baby of the forest” and again he is embarrassed and frustrated. A stork tells him of seeing older trees chopped down and used as ship masts, and the little tree envies them. In the fall, nearby trees are felled and the sparrows tell the little pine tree of seeing them decorated in houses.
One day, before he is able to grow larger, he is cut down. He is bought, carried into a house, decorated, and, on on Christmas Eve, he glows with candles, colored apples, toys, and baskets of candy. A gold star tops the tree. The children enter and plunder the tree of its candy and gifts then listen to a little fat man tell the story of “Humpty Dumpty”.
The next day, the pine tree expects the festivities to be renewed, and that every day he gets to celebrate with his new family, but servants take the tree down and carry him into the attic. The tree is lonely and disappointed but the mice gather to hear the tree recite the tale of “Humpty Dumpty”. Rats arrive, and, when they belittle the simple tale, the mice leave and do not return. In the spring, the pine tree – now withered and discolored – is carried into the yard. A boy takes the star from its topmost branch. The pine tree is then cut into pieces and burned.
You know what this classic story always reminds of? This 44 Bottle Wooden Wine Rack, made of unfinished pine. It’s over three feet tall, and looks great in any home. Since it’s unfinished, you can paint it however you like. Which will be fun.

Beaujolais Nouveau is the most famous of the vins de primeur – wines that are permitted to be sold the same year they are harvested. Released the third Thursday of November, the BoVo seems to go hand in hand with the holiday season. It’s a lighter, fruitier wine with very little tannins.

Now, I know the bum rap that Beaujolais Nouveau gets – it’s immature, just grape juice with alcohol - but I think it’s a guilty pleasure. It’s pretty inexpensive, and since it’s meant to be served slightly chilled along with food, I think it’s a great wine for impromptu winter dinners with friends. In fact, it doesn’t even need a dinner to go along with it! Just load up a serving cart with some good bread, cheeses and a bottle or two! It appeals to the part of me that likes to snack on leftovers directly from the refrigerator, with the door open. In pajamas.

Plus, Beajolais Nouveau is a great choice for when you’re making mulled or warmed spiced wine. Because of it’s light nature, it doesn’t take on that cloying quality that some hot wine drinks have. Try topping off your next party with a few rounds of warm BoVo! You and your guests are sure to be delighted.

When I turned 21, one of my gifts was a large, 36 bottle wine rack. Not only was I brand new to the world of wine, but I was living in a tiny apartment – with roommates! Not to mention, on my starving student budget, it would have been hard to fill it with 36 bottles of quality wine. The huge wine rack was totally impractical for my life – and, to tell the truth, I felt kind of intimidated by it!

Which is why I say, with the wisdom of experience – if you’re just starting to drink and collect wine – go modular! Most modular racks start small – holding only six bottles. Check out this Modular Storage System! If you start noticing that you’ve constantly got more than six bottles on hand, all you have to do is buy another component, and snap (or stack) them together! Presto – double the storage. It’s a great way to introduce people to the ways of wine storage, without scaring them off. Plus, modular storage systems are easy to move around! You can move them from room to room depending on your mood. Am I saying that modular wine racks are great decorative tools? Yes, I believe I am!

Modular storage racks also make great housewarming presents – especially when they’re already stocked! (Hint, hint!)