Wine Racks Blog

So, as everybody knows, I’ve been looking for a new tabletop wine rack. Whenever I get a new table, I have to get a new tabletop wine rack. It just makes sense, am I right? Anyway, I was searching for so long, that I was beginning to get frustrated. Especially since it seemed like everyone around me was finding their perfect tabletop wine rack, and I was still left alone, with an empty table. Even friends of mine who don’t know as much about wine, or don’t have as nice of a table as I do were finding racks. So, I started to feel like I would never find the perfect rack for me. And wouldn’t you know it? As soon as I stopped looking, the perfect wine rack fell right into my life! Take a look at the Howard Miller Wine Caddy!

Isn’t he just dreamy? The contemporary satin nickel metal is complemented by a Black Coffee finished wooden storage base. The storage base on this wine storage rack includes a useful pull-out drawer and matching nickel knob, felt lined and great for wine-accessories. This wine rack holds up to 6 bottles. And all of my problems I was having - the lack of a dynamic yet sophisticated tabletop wine rack for my dining table? Well, Howard makes them all go away!

Well, the second month of 2009 has almost come to an end. February may be the shortest month, but it’s going out with a bang. February 28th is Open That Bottle Night.  Created by Wall Street Journal wine writers Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher, OTBN is a great excuses to open that bottle of wine that you’re saving for a “special occasion”. You know how it is, you bought a bottle of wine a couple of years ago, and there it sits. In your wine rack. Waiting. Waiting for that perfect occasion. Well, as Dorothy and John put it:

“This is exactly why we invented Open That Bottle Night, a celebration of wine, friends and memories during which all of us finally pull the cork on that bottle and enjoy the aromas, tastes, tears and laughter that always spill forth. ”

While I’m a pretty optimistic person, even I know the importance of seizing the moment. We live in times where we need to cherish the ones around us, and celebrate life’s little successes. Besides, isn’t procrastination usually frowned upon? So, don’t procrastinate - open up that bottle! I think I’ll finally crack open a 2004 Harlan Estate that I got for my birthday. 

If you’re having your OTBN wine at dinner, why not display it on the table during the day? I just got this Blomus Stainless Steel Wine Holder, and I think it may become my new favorite tabletop wine rack. I like how it looks like a crazy paper clip, or one of those old-school hair barrettes. This wine rack does a really nice job of creating a showcase for your bottle.  With a centerpiece this nice, you may not even need a traditional bouquet of flowers.

A tabletop wine rack would be a great way to create anticipation for what will be a memorable night of good wine, good friends, and good times. Your friends will come over, see the wine, and you can spend some time talking about how fun it will be to drink it. Don’t forget to add the label to your wine tasting notebook! What will you be drinking this Saturday night?

I admit it. For a long time, I thought decanting wine was something that only really fussy people did. For instance, I saw it done on Frasier - not always the best reference for real-world advice. But over time, I was lucky enough to experience decanted wine, and now I’m a convert.

The thing about decanting wine is that both old and young wines benefit from a period of decanting. Decanting gives young wines a chance to blend with oxygen - which helps release the fragrance and flavor of the wine. When you decant a young wine, feel free to “splash” it into your decanter - it helps the wine to breathe.

Older wines benefit from decanting because it allows sediment to settle to the bottom, leaving you with a clean glass of wine. Slowly pour old wine into a decanter - that allows the fine sediment to go straight down.

Plus - decanters are just plain pretty! I like the Orbital Decanter.This crystal decanter comes with a steel base. It also has a tight stopper. Using a decanter can make an ordinary bottle of wine taste a little more extraordinary.

So, give your wine rack a new friend and consider getting a decanter. You won’t regret it!

Remember how a few years ago, it seemed like Merlot was everywhere? And then Sideways came out, and Pinot Noir took the spotlight. Well, I have a recommendation for the next great red wine - the 2006 Imagery Grenache! Imagery Winery is a sister winery of Benziger. It’s almost like a boutique winery - they have the freedom to create wines with creative blends of varietals. If you get a chance to wine tasting in Sonoma County, you must stop by the winery! Not only is it a gorgeous place to walk around, the tasting staff are some of the nicest people you’ll meet.

The Grenache was one of those wines I tasted, and something clicked in my brain. How had I gone so long with never drinking this!?! It’s a medium bodied wine, with fruity cherry/berry notes. What’s really interesting about this wine is that it has a deep, almost smoky, finish. It pairs well with a lot of food, including chocolate cake (I attest to this from personal experience).

That fateful day at Imagery led to me buying 3 bottles of the Grenache. Three bottles - that can be a tricky amount for storage. But that’s why tabletop wine racks like the Axis Vertical Rack were invented! This attractive chrome rack is designed to hold a trio of bottles, and is perfect for a kitchen counter.  Sometimes you don’t need a big wine rack. Sometimes the best wine rack is small, stylish and even a bit of a conversation starter. Kind of like Imagery Winery, and their wines.

No, I’m not talking about those compressed carbon pieces that everyone seems so keen on! I’m talking about this Diamond Wine Rack!  

This is another example of how modular wine storage can change your life. This understated wine rack can hold up to 24 bottles of wine. And, since it has an open design - it can even hold differently sized bottles. You’ll have a central space for wine storage, whether you’re collecting magnums, splits, or standard sized bottles.

You can also stack multiples of this divided wine rack - perfect for growing collections. I like the dark finish, too.

I’ve recently been hearing about keeping wines in a closet - it seems to be a good solution when you aren’t ready to invest in a wine cooler, or if you don’t have the space for a wine cellar. This wine rack  from StacksAndStacks.com would be a terrific way to keep your wines, and your closet, neatly organized.

The foodie world is abuzz with the menu of yesterday’s post Inauguration luncheon at the White House. To go with the food (which included duck, pheasant, and a seafood pie - yum!), three wines were served. There was the Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc, the Goldeneye Pinot Noir, and a Korbel California Champagne. On a side note, I’ve had the Goldeneye Pinot before, and it is ridiculously delicious. It’s one of the most well balanced pinots I’ve ever tasted - the jammy fruits and the tannins are working together in harmony. Hmmm…you could even call it a bi-partisan wine!

Anyway, special times call for special wines. And special wines need an out of the ordinary setting. That’s why I love this wine server. This decorative server is handcrafted from copper, and the cool colors? That’s not paint - that’s the natural oxidation of the copper. Wine servers like this are a great way to add a distinctive touch to a meal - it’s a great way to pamper your guests.

What wines would you like to see served at the White House? I’m sure they’re going to be stocking the wine racks in the cellar with some of America’s finest vintages.

Over the holidays, I think I ate about a metric ton of sweets. In fact, I even discovered a new love for hard candies. Especially ribbon candy. Besides being full of sugary goodness, ribbon candy is an aesthetic delight.

Look at it! It's downright adorable!

There’s something so appealing about the bunched curves of ribbon candy. And while I don’t have the seasonal excuse for mainlining sugar anymore, I don’t have to give up loving the look of this old fashioned treat. I found the S-Shaped Wine Rack!

I love it! This rack is made of steel, and has an antiqued copper finish. There are even embossed details of grape bunches, vines, and leaves. This rack will hold up to five bottles of wine, and is perfect for a counter top, or even a table. It’s a little whimsical, but I think it’d be a great gift for any serious wine enthusiast. Or candy enthusiast. It’s versatile like that!

You guys, I have a confession to make. I have sort of a schizophrenic design aesthetic. My ideal house would be 40% Eames mid-century modern-chic, 50% of the Elephant Room where Nicole Kidman lived in Moulin Rouge, and 10% Hello Kitty. Balancing these styles - well, it is my burden. Yet, bravely, I persevere! And the good thing about having eclectic taste (yes, that’s what I’ve decided to call it) is that when I find something that speaks to one of my design personalities - it doesn’t speak with a whisper, it shouts! And man oh man, this Wine Knot is screaming my name. I love the smooth curves, and the two-tone bent plywood. It’s hard to find a wine rack that looks good both empty and full, but this one totally fits the bill.It holds six wine bottles, and it can hold a magnum of champers in the center. Obviously, it’s speaking to the mid-century modernist in me (although I could embellish it with a little glitter and gold paint, and really reach a happy medium). What’s the verdict? Do you love it, or really love it?