WINE ESSENTIALS
From corkscrews and stemware to drip-stoppers and decanters, tools for the contemporary wine drinker come in a wider range of shapes and styles than ever.

The word “accessories” misses the mark when it comes to wine. The term implies add-ons, extras, frills — and yet the most important wine accessories are matters of necessity, not extravagance. Indeed, enjoying wine is practically unthinkable without such essentials as a corkscrew and glasses, much like playing golf is untenable without clubs and balls. Not surprisingly, as wine has risen from niche status into the mainstream, accessories are now more accessible than ever. Once relegated to specialty catalogs, wine stuff is readily found not only in wine shops, but also in department stores, culinary outlets, tasting rooms, and on countless Web sites. In the May/June issue of Private Clubs, wine and spirits writer W.R. Tish tosses aside some of the more gimmicky accessories (do people really need glass-drying racks, decanter brushes, cheese platters made from melted bottles, or costumes that make your wine look like it’s wearing a tux?) and uncovers the more impressive offerings in the most essential genres: opening, serving, and sipping.

Photography by Parish Stapleton.