 | Riedel Vinum Chianti Classico Riesling Wine Glasses, Set of 6
You MUST start with a good glass, and this is my favorite for all around use. Don't be fooled by Riedel's pseudo-scientific gibberish. Or compete with the Joneses on size.
|
 | Spiegelau Vino Grande Chardonnay Glasses, Set of 6
If you must have dishwasher safe, this is a good all-arounder for any wine, not just chard. Unless you need to compensate for a small wine with a big gulp glass.
|
 | Pulltap Double hinged Waiter Style Corkscrew - Black
Buy new: $8.99 / Used from: $4.25 Two-stage waiter's friends are the only way to go. I've never used this particular model. Anything beyond a glass and a corkscrew is NOT essential.
|
 | The Oxford Companion to Wine
Buy used from: $13.62 If you only get one wine book, make it this one. Definitive and scholarly.
|
 | The World Atlas of Wine by Hugh Johnson
Buy used from: $3.39 But you really need this one as a companion volume. Hypnotic, even before a bottle of wine.
|
 | How to Taste: A Guide to Enjoying Wine by Jancis Robinson
Buy used from: $0.91 Step-by-step guide to getting started from my hero, Jancis Robinson. I especially like the advice on trios of wines to taste to explore differences.
|
 | Sideways (Widescreen Edition)
Buy new: $12.49 / Used from: $0.98 Some great set pieces, but not the great movie it's made out to be. Still a must for wine-lovers (Hint; Cheval Blanc's Merlot and Cab Franc.).
|
 | The Bluffer's Guide to Wine, Revised: The Bluffer's Guide Series (Bluffer's Guides - Oval Books) by Harry Eyres
Buy used from: $15.47 Finally an updated version. Laugh out loud funny if you know wine, and some great advice for dealing with snobs if you don't.
|
 | Wine Advocate
Buy new: $75.00 Get WA, either online as eRobertParker or through the magazine subscription. Best descriptions of wines, regions, growers & winemakers.
|
 | The Accidental Connoisseur: An Irreverent Journey Through the Wine World by Lawrence Osborne
Buy used from: $0.26 Like the author, I think Rosenthal's a great importer. So's Kermit Lynch. For a reporter's perspective as quest, read this.
|
 | Adventures on the Wine Route: A Wine Buyer's Tour of France by Kermit Lynch
Buy new: $12.24 / Used from: $3.81 So you might as well read Kermit's own story. He imports some of my favorite Rhones.
|
 | Famous Maker Hand Towel 2-Pack, White
Put a towel over your arm to pretend to be a French waiter from a movie.
|
 | Boston Red Sox Metal Pail
Buy new: $19.99 Wine's best at around CELLAR temperature. I like white around 55 degrees Farenheit (13 C) for white; 60 F (16C) for red). Use ice buckets for beer, or soda.
|
|
Listmania!
