Top 5 Accessories Every Wine Lover Should Have

Good wine deserves proper handling

Good wine is like a good friend. Treat it with neglect, and it may disappoint you. But give it attention and prepare it properly, and it will show you its best sides.

Not all wine accessories are about luxury or snobbery. Some are simply tools that make your interaction with wine safer, more convenient, and—most importantly—tastier.

Today we’ll talk about five accessories that truly matter. Start with the first two, and then think about the rest.

1. The right corkscrew: The sommelier knife

It seems like the simplest thing—opening a bottle. But the wrong corkscrew can destroy the cork, scattering bits of it into the wine, or simply wreck your nerves.

Why a sommelier knife beats all the “automatic” gadgets

The market is full of “gadgets”—electric corkscrews, pneumatic devices that look like tools from a sci-fi movie. They all promise to open a bottle with a single button. But here’s what they forget to tell you:

• They often break

• They take up space in the kitchen

• They require batteries or charging

• They are expensive

• When you’re visiting friends or having a picnic, you can’t really take them with you

The sommelier knife, also known as a “waiter’s corkscrew”, is a compact folding tool about the size of a letter opener that fits in your pocket.

What a sommelier knife consists of

It’s a simple, brilliantly thought-out tool:

1. The spiral (worm) — the main working element. It should be made of hard metal, sharpened, and have the right diameter (not too thick, or it will damage the cork).

2. Two supports (steps) — the “levels” on the sides of the lever. They rest on the bottle neck and help pull the cork out smoothly.

3. Built-in knife — for cutting the foil. A small detail, but very handy.

4. Bottle opener (often included) — for bottles with metal caps.

How to choose a good sommelier knife

Don’t buy cheap corkscrews (under 500–1000 RUB). They:

• Get loose after the first use

• Don’t have a sharp tip

• Break quickly

What to look for:

• Spiral quality: Is it sharpened? Is the metal strong? Try turning it with your fingers—it should feel sharp and move smoothly.

• Weight: A good sommelier knife feels “heavy.” That usually means quality metal. Lightweight plastic is a bad sign.

• Supports/steps: They should sit tightly and not wobble.

• Foil knife: It should be sharp and not bend.

Good brands: Lip, Solingen (German tools), and French wine-shop knives. Look for products with reviews in wine communities.

How to use a sommelier knife correctly

1. Cut the foil with the knife under the second ridge on the bottle neck, in a clean circle.

2. Screw the spiral into the cork about two-thirds of the way (not all the way!).

3. Place the first step on the bottle rim and pull up—the cork rises halfway.

4. Place the second step on the rim; the second upward movement pulls the cork out completely.

No force—just clean leverage.

2. Decanter or aerator: When wine needs to “breathe”

This may seem unnecessary—why pour wine into another vessel? But it’s one of the most powerful ways to open up the taste of young wine.

What happens when wine “breathes”

When wine sits in a closed bottle, alcohol vapors, tannins (astringent compounds), and oak components accumulate. They “stagnate” and give the wine a bitter, harsh, even overly alcoholic edge.

When wine meets oxygen, magic happens:

• Phenols (aromatic compounds) transform into esters that smell and taste much better

• Tannins soften and become more pleasant

• The bouquet (aroma) opens at full power

It’s like a warm-up before sport—the muscles loosen and start working at full strength.

Decanter vs Aerator: What’s the difference?

A decanter is a beautiful carafe with a wide base and a narrow neck. Wine is poured into it 1–2 hours before drinking (or even earlier). The wine slowly contacts oxygen, and the bouquet unfolds gradually.

Pros:

• Looks great on the table

• Helps separate sediment (if the wine is very old)

• You can leave wine in a decanter for a few hours

Cons:

• Slow (you have to wait)

• Can “break” very fragile old wines (wines older than 15–20 years are better not decanted)

An aerator is a special device (usually a funnel with built-in channels) that wine flows through while you pour. Aeration happens in minutes.

Pros:

• Very fast (you only wait a minute)

• Ideal for young, tannic red wines

• Compact and doesn’t take up space

Cons:

• Can be too intense for very delicate or old wines

• Less aesthetic than a decanter

When to use

Use a decanter for:

• Young red wines (under 10 years) with high tannins (e.g., young Cabernet)

• A beautiful evening where presentation matters

• Wines you want to leave open for a few hours

Use an aerator for:

• Young red wines you want to drink right now

• Young white wines

• Situations when you don’t have time to wait

Use neither for:

• Very old red wines (over 20 years) — just open and let them sit in the glass

• Fragile wines that have already developed in the bottle

• Sparkling wines (aeration destroys the bubbles)

3. Vacuum stopper: How to keep an open bottle

The perfect scenario: you opened a great wine, took a couple of sips, and… you need to stop. Life is unfair.

Without protection, an open wine oxidizes within a few hours. Air literally “eats” the wine, turning it into something like spoiled compote.

How a vacuum stopper works

It’s simple and effective:

1. Insert the stopper into the neck of the open bottle

2. Use the built-in hand pump to remove air from the bottle

3. A vacuum forms, sealing the wine airtight

4. The wine can be stored for 7–14 days instead of 12 hours

How it affects taste

The vacuum stops oxidation. When you open the bottle a few days later, the wine will be fresh and full—like on the first day.

Scientifically tested—no chemical reaction with the stopper occurs. It simply creates an airtight environment.

An important point

Store it in the refrigerator (even red wines). Cold slows oxidation. Take it out about an hour before serving so the wine warms up to serving temperature.

Exception: Sparkling wines. A vacuum stopper works poorly with Champagne—bubbles interfere with the seal.

4. Glasses: Why shape matters for aroma

It sounds crazy, but it’s a scientific fact: the same wine tastes different from different glasses.

The scientific reasoning

It works through two principles:

Principle 1: Chemistry
The shape of the glass affects the amount of phenols (aromatic compounds responsible for the bouquet). The wider the bowl, the larger the wine’s contact area with oxygen. Phenols transform into esters, creating a stronger, richer aroma.

Principle 2: Physiology
Different parts of the tongue respond to different tastes:

• Tip of the tongue — sweetness

• Sides — acidity

• Center — saltiness

• Back — bitterness

Depending on the shape and size of the glass, wine flows to different parts of the mouth, and you perceive the taste differently.

Two main types of glasses

Burgundy glass:

• Wide bowl, balloon-like

• Large opening

• Ideal for: Pinot Noir, aged Chardonnay, Nebbiolo

Why? In this glass, wine is directed to the tip of the tongue (sweetness), so you first sense fruitiness and delicacy.

Bordeaux glass:

• More conical, more “closed”

• Narrow opening that tightens toward the rim

• Ideal for: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, young tannic wines

Why? The narrowing rim directs wine toward the middle of the tongue, which is less sensitive to acidity and tannins. This softens the sharpness of young wine.

The wrong glass choice

If you drink red wine from a small white-wine glass (or, horror, a coffee mug):

• The wine doesn’t contact enough oxygen

• The aroma doesn’t open up

• Your taste receptors get a strange signal

Result: a wonderful wine feels flat and uninteresting.

Tips for choosing glasses

• Glass: Clear, uncolored, without thick edges

• Long stem: So your hand doesn’t warm the wine

• Avoid a gold rim: It looks pretty, but it hides the wine’s color—and color is part of the experience

Good glass brands: Riedel, Schott Zwiesel, Spiegelau. Not cheap, but they last a long time.

For home on a budget: Buy at least two sets of 2 glasses—one for red, one for white. That will be enough.

5. Glass markers: A helpful little thing for big parties

This isn’t an exotic accessory—it’s a lifesaver for party hosts.

The problem

At a large tasting or party, each guest may have several glasses—with different wines. After 20 minutes, no one remembers which glass had which wine. Glasses get mixed up, guests drink the wrong wine, and the evening loses its rhythm.

The solution

Glass markers are either:

• Waterproof markers (e.g., alcohol markers) — you write a number or wine name on the glass. It washes off with alcohol or water after the party.

• Silicone tags — small colorful shapes or symbols that clip onto the rim. No writing needed; you just assign colors to guests.

• Magnetic markers — rarely used, but they look elegant.

How to use

With markers:

1. Write the wine number on the glass (for example, “Wine #2 — Sauvignon Blanc”)

2. Ask guests to remember their glass number

3. Wash the marker off after the party

With tags:

1. Give each guest (or pair) one color

2. They attach it to their main glass

3. When switching wines, they use a new glass with the same tag

4. No one confuses someone else’s glass

Why this matters

This isn’t a whim. It guarantees that each person tastes wines in the correct order and with the correct wine. This is especially important at professional tastings.

Conclusion: Where to start

You don’t need to buy everything at once. Here’s the recommended order:

1. First (A MUST): A quality sommelier knife

• It’s the most frequently used tool

• Lasts 10+ years

• Compact—you can take it anywhere

2. Second (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED): A set of glasses (two for red, two for white)

• This improves the taste of wine by 30–40%

• You’ll use them every time

3. Third: A decanter or aerator

• For developing the taste of young wine

• Not urgent, but very useful

4. Fourth: A vacuum stopper

• If you often open wine and don’t finish it the same day

• Extends the life of your favorite wine

5. Fifth: Glass markers

• Only if you often host tastings with friends

Remember: A good accessory is an investment in quality of life. Every sip of wine you drink from the right glass—properly opened, properly “breathing”—is a small victory over everyday routine.

The hedonist’s inventory isn’t about status. It’s about making every moment of enjoyment complete and honest.