Wine on the go-go
I’ll take it to go…how often have you said that? Chances are, you weren’t referring to your wine. But if you’re as persnickety about what you’re drinking as I am, then you DON’T want to leave home without it! So what do we need when we travel with wine...whether it’s across the country or just to our local cinema? Here are some must-have toys that should be on every Oenophile’s list:
Wine Carrying Bags: When you’re headed to dinner, be it a restaurant or the home of friends, it’s always good to travel in style. The lime green/ tan pleather Party-to-go-Tote by Bellemonde is sturdy, stylish and roomy enough for 4 or 5 bottles and a decanter. Need to keep your white chilled? Try the insulated, padded, drawstring bag by Picnic at Ascot, which includes a handy-dandy corkscrew and carrying strap. Both available at Amazon or local retailers.
Outdoor Glass and Bottle Holders: How about a picnic on the lawn… or on the beach? Take along the lightweight 3-piece Picnic Stake Set by Oenophilia. Stake your claim to your own private Idaho with bent aluminum pieces that pierce the ground and keep your wine high and dry. www.oenophilia.com
Stem-less-ware To Go: It’s all very well to use crystal or glass vessels when you’re close to home, but traveling down the road a piece is another story. Govino to the rescue! These brilliantly designed “glasses” are anything but! Made from BPA-free polymer, they’re stem-less, shatterproof, reusable and recyclable, and come in three styles: all-purpose wine, champagne flutes, and cocktail. They sport thin lips (a positive trait for wine vessels), a well-designed bowl and a thumbrest for easy handling. Visit www.govinowine.com or local outlets.
Wine in a Suitcase: Whether you’re visiting Gramma in the Ozarks where no wine is found, or coming back from Napa and packin’ your stash, you need a safe way to tote those bottles back in your suitcase. Wineskins are the answer! These bubblewrap-lined bottle transport bags are secure, very affordable and leak-proof (never again will your clothes all be pink upon arrival). Go to www.wineskin.net to find a retailer near you.
Update the Flask: Heading to the game, concert or movie, there’s a sleeker, more savvy way to carry your wine. Enter PLATYPRESERVE. A lightweight, durable solution for toting your wine with the added bonus of preserving the portion you don’t finish, this is also BPA-free. It’s made by Platypus, the company responsible for great hydration-onthe-go products for sports aficionados and is available at Amazon, REI or www.platypreserve.com.
Wine Aerator: Ok it’s time to be a little playful. You’ve been invited to bring a special bottle to share with friends, and you’ve filled your travel carrying bag with your decanter and favorite glasses. But wait. There’s one more thing! What about aerating the wine? Well most folks might consider the Vinturi, a specially-designed patented aerator made of glass. But we’re talking on the go here, so I’ve found the perfect solution. It’s a super lightweight Personal Wine Aerator, and it’s guaranteed to liven up that stuffy wine event for sure! Just pull these out of your bag, balance them on your nose, wrap the sides around your ears, put one end in your glass of wine and the other end in your mouth. Drinking Glasses. Literally. Plastic tubing eyeglass straws. Fashionable too, only $3.99, some might refer to this by its official name: the SILLY STRAW. Available through Amazon.
Size Matters: And
now for something completely different! From the sublime to the
ridiculous, you have to check out the absolutely hilarious WineRack.
Your bottles won’t be laying on it, but your friends will be slayed by
it when they find out your
secret! The WineRack is a sports bra that lets you sport up to 750ml (25
oz.) of your favorite beverage. Wear it to the movies, concerts, ball
games – anywhere you can imagine. Includes a polyurethane bladder and a
drinking tube long enough to route as you wish, along with an
easy-to-use on/off valve to control the flow. Available in Small, Medium
and Large at www.kotulas.com
Ok, confession to make here. The WineRack is the only wine gadget listed that I haven’t personally tried. And not because I’m too shy to try. Unfortunately the customer reviews revealed that, yup you guessed it, it leaks. YIKES! Nothing like your secret being revealed by having it dribble down your dress. Too bad. “Just think of the advantages”, as they claim. Arriving at the party a 36DD and drinking down to a 36A, but of course by then, they’ll all be too drunk to notice. You Can Take It With You Wherever You Go...Just Wear It Well!