Remove the stress and guessing for shopping for wine lovers on your list with these items.DavidPrahl/iStockPhoto / Getty Images
Shopping for wine lovers can be a source of stress due to the endless array of gadgets, glasses and other items marketed to enhance wine appreciation. There are also warehouses filled with items that broadcast one’s passion for fermented grape juice in the form of household and clothing items. To narrow your search, I would focus on well-designed items that feel special but are still practical for everyday use, starting with a good corkscrew, a stylish stem and a failsafe bottle.
Laguiole Rosewood Two-Step Corkscrew ($42.99)
Pol Roger Brut ChampagneSupplied
Available for less than $20, the classic Pulltap Double Lever Corkscrew will always be my suggestion for the best value-for-money wine opener on the market. But there are upgrades on the style, with stylish wood, horn or bone finishes and different hardware for those looking to work with a refined statement piece. Offering form and function, this rosewood and stainless-steel model is durable and features the benefit of a grooved screw for better grip and a double lever system to add the extraction of the cork. Available direct, cocktailemporium.com
Josephinenhütte Josephine No. 2 Universal Glass ($140 per stem)
Pol Roger Brut ChampagneSupplied
Designer Kurt Zalto helped revolutionized wine appreciation with the creation of the thin lipped, light weight universal wine glass and other items for the company that carries his family name. Today, he’s creating new designs for Josephinenhütte, an Austrian brand founded by Count Leopold in the 1800s. The portfolio includes specially designed bowls for red, white, sparkling wines as well as water glasses and decanters. The highlight of the collection is Zalto’s new take on an all-occasion, universal stem, the Josephine No. 2, with flowy curves and a conical bowl built to elevate the experience and enjoyment of wine drinking. Available direct, josephinen.com
Pol Roger Brut Champagne (France), $85.55
Pol Roger Brut ChampagneSupplied
Champagne is always appreciated, especially when it’s a well-made example from a legendary family owned and operated house like this one. Pol Roger white label is made with chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier, with 25 per cent reserve wine to help maintain a consistent style from year to year. The mix of rich and refreshing flavours with a crisp finish make this easy to appreciate. Available at the above price in Ontario, $89.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta, $98.99 in Manitoba, $74.25 in Quebec, $89.29 in New Brunswick, $85.23 in Nova Scotia, $84.99 in Prince Edward Island, $92.90 in Newfoundland.