Wine Racks Blog

Some people say that we are living in the electronic age. Well, that’s probably true, but I think we’re also living in the infrared technology age! At my day job, we have an infrared retinal scanner, and I think it’s just the neatest thing ever. Although, I don’t think I’m supposed to talk about it. Okay, forget you heard anything. Anyway, that infrared technology has come to the wine cellar with this Infrared Wine Thermometer.

Sometimes when you’re checking the temperature of your wine, all you have to go by is how the bottle feels in your hands. What if you naturally have cold hands? You’re not going to be able to accurately gauge the temperature. Likewise, if you’re one of those people with warm hands, you’re not going to know exactly how cool the bottle is.

That’s why this keychain style wine thermometer is a must. Using infrared technology, this thermometer detects wine temperature from outside the bottle. Simply put the end of the thermometer on the bottle to read internal temperature. Made of premium quality stainless steel, this wine thermometer features a laser-inked wine menu and upscale thin cylinder with a keychain hanger.

I love the fact that this thermometer is so portable. You can take it wine tasting, or take it over to your friends house for a dinner party. You can even make a little game of it, by having people guess what they think the temperature of the wine is, and then you can verify who is the closest to being right. It would be a fun party game, and a great way to get to know each other.

Have you found any great wine gadgets lately? Wine racks are great, but they’re not always portable, and it’s nice to be able to show off a cool gadget when you’re traveling. So let me know what you’ve seen lately!

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!

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.