| With so many people struggling financially it might | | | | In order to avoid this problem you need to invest |
| seem like a bad time to get involved in the finer | | | | in one of the most common wine accessories the |
| points of wine and wine drinking. But nothing could | | | | waiters corkscrew. This handy little gadget not |
| be further from the truth. You can try wines | | | | only comes with a worm but also a lever and a |
| from many different countries and there are | | | | small knife. You have everything you need to |
| some very good inexpensive wines. Exploring | | | | take off the protective covering over the cork |
| wines might be the closest you'll be able to come | | | | and then neatly remove the cork. They usually |
| to visiting Italy or France or even California right | | | | sell for around $6 and if it's good enough for the |
| now. It can be a mini-vacation. | | | | professionals it's probably good enough for you. |
| Contrary to popular belief you don't have to be | | | | Another wine accessory is the decanter or |
| rich to enjoy great wine and you don't need to be | | | | carafe. You have probably heard that wine needs |
| a 'wine snob' either. There are many varieties of | | | | to breathe. What that means is allowing oxygen |
| wine and the best wine is the wine that you like | | | | into your wine. This will help increase the flavor |
| the best! | | | | and aroma, especially in young wines. |
| In order to get the most out of your wine tasting | | | | Unfortunately, just taking the cork out of the |
| adventure there are a few wine accessories that | | | | bottle won't help much. The opening of the bottle |
| can make it better or easier. | | | | is too small to allow enough oxygen in to make |
| The first thing you will need, besides the wine | | | | any difference. |
| itself, is a good corkscrew. Many people take this | | | | A simple way around this is to pour your wine |
| handy little gadget for granted but it can make | | | | into a carafe or decanter. Not only does it look |
| your wine experience better by eliminating the | | | | nice on your table when you serve your guests it |
| little cork bits in your glass of wine. | | | | also has a wide mouth opening allowing more air |
| One of the most popular styles of corkscrews, | | | | to flow in and aerate your wine. |
| the 'winged' kind, is actually one of the worst. The | | | | Now is a great time to explore and enjoy fine |
| reason is that the little curly thingy (the worm or | | | | wines. They don't have to be expensive they just |
| auger) is too short. It doesn't go far enough into | | | | have to taste good to you. What better way to |
| the cork to get a really good hold of it so it often | | | | spend a nice warm summer evening than getting |
| just weakens the cork and the cork breaks into | | | | together with friends and trying out your latest |
| pieces when you pull it out. Not the end of the | | | | 'find'. Get some wine accessories, grab some |
| world, true, but a hassle. | | | | wine, gather your friends...sounds like a great night! |