Sommelier Tests 10 Wine Gadgets | World Of Wine | Bon Appétit

I've got to tell you about this gadget I tried – the Cooper Cooler. It's all about getting your drinks to that perfect temperature super fast. You know how crucial it is to serve wine just right to bring out all those amazing flavors? Well, the Cooper Cooler claims it can turn a warm bottle of red wine into a chilled masterpiece in just six minutes. Now, that's a promise.

The Cooper Cooler gets a thumbs-up for doing what it promised, but here's the twist – it might not be your go-to appliance. See, it's pretty hefty and quite specialized, so fitting it into everyday life might be a challenge. It's like having a Formula 1 car for your morning commute – cool but not exactly practical.

Oh, and speaking of twists, the Cooper Cooler can also handle cans. There's a special setting for that. Curiosity gets the best of me, and I give it a shot. The can goes into a spin frenzy, and with a satisfying pop, it's ready to rock.

All in all, the Cooper Cooler has the goods, but whether it's a must-have for your kitchen is a whole other question. As I take a sip from my nicely chilled wine, I'm leaning towards it being more of a special occasion thing than an everyday hero.

The deal is, this gizmo claims it can wave its magic wand and poof, no more sulfites in your wine. But here's the kicker: all wine has sulfites, they're part of the package deal. It's the added sulfites that come later in the game that some people complain about, saying they cause headaches. Turns out, it's more about histamines and probably drinking low-quality wine loaded with sugar.

Now, the real test – I run some wine through the filter, and it's doing this whole aeration thing too. But here's the thing, it feels like it's taking away the soul of the wine, if you catch my drift. I mean, come on, wine shouldn't need a gadget to be enjoyable.

Now, let's be clear – this gadget doesn't exactly elevate the art of wine tasting. It won't make your wine taste better or transport you to vineyards. But here's the thing, it might save your tablecloth from some unsightly wine stains. So, for the practical folks out there who value pristine surfaces, this could be a winner. But honestly, if you ask me, I'd probably skip it. It's not exactly a must-have in the wine world.

Behold the Vacu Vin – the Wine Saver, as they call it. This little gem is all about preserving your opened wine. Here's the deal: once you pop that cork and let the oxygen in, your wine's on the clock. Oxygen and wine? Not exactly the best buddies. It starts breaking down the wine, and within days, that once-delightful bottle turns into something you wouldn't want to touch with a ten-foot pole.

This thing is packaged just like the other kind of condom, except way smaller. It's all about protection for wine lovers, they say. Alright, let's dive into this cheeky creation.

It's basically a little finger condom, and I can't help but chuckle at the marketing genius behind it. Picture this: you've got a bottle of wine, but no cork to shove back in. What do you do? Well, you whip out the wine condom, of course. It's like giving your wine bottle a snug little hat, a fashionable statement in the world of fermented grapes.

I gotta admit, this is a bit ridiculous. I mean, sure, if you're into unconventional ways to keep your wine fresh, I guess this could be your thing. But let's get real – once the bottle's open, the clock's ticking. My usual advice is to pop the cork back in and toss it in the fridge. Most folks just plonk the cork back and leave the bottle on the table – it might work, but it's not exactly airtight.

I'll be honest, even though it's practical, I'm a bit of a traditionalist. I wouldn't shell out for one of these. There's something about the ritual of decanting that I find charming. Wine is steeped in tradition, after all. Remember how screw caps took forever to be accepted? Well, I think technology works, but it might take some time before we get used to seeing these gadgets in fine dining settings.

Introducing the Uluxsty Electric Wine Decanter Aerator – a gadget that's wowed 20,000 wine lovers worldwide. Its snazzy red exterior catches the eye, but I'm curious to see if it lives up to the hype.

As I press the button, I can't help but think, "If this thing starts blinking and making odd noises, it's going out the window." I mean, seriously, who needs that kind of drama?

I've been known to agitate my wine glass a bit, casually circulating the wine. It just seems more natural than subjecting it to a gadget that sounds like it's struggling to breathe.

And so, the gadget begins its dance – gently rocking, introducing oxygen with those mesmerizing bubbles. It's doing what I used to do manually. Does it work? Yeah, it does.

Now, this contraption is essentially a decanter with an integrated aeration system. It's like a wine roller coaster of sorts, and let's be real, it's all about presentation and a touch of theater.

While some might find this whole process fun, it's not really my scene. As a purist, I'd rather just pour it into a regular decanter.

This contraption does its job, but here's the kicker – you need to keep your thumb on it at all times, otherwise things might get messy. Taking the cage off feels a bit risky in this area, and I'm holding it tight to prevent any surprises.

Sure, it's all about getting a better grip and torque for twisting. But honestly, as a pro, holding the bottle and twisting has become second nature. For me, it's efficient and quick. But I get it, not everyone finds that easy. Maybe this tool is for those who aren't familiar with the art of twisting while holding the bottle steady. Just remember, never let go of the top.

First off, there's a sleek stand and an electric charging base in the mix. And hey, there's even a foil cutter included, which is nice. Just set the opener on the charging base – easy peasy.

Is it practical? Well, for someone like me who's opened countless bottles the traditional way, probably not. My familiarity with a wine key makes this feel like slow motion. It's like comparing using an electric pepper grinder to the satisfying wrist action of the manual one.

Yet, I get it. There's a certain appeal to this kind of device, especially for those diving into the pseudo wine lifestyle. It gets the job done, no doubt, but it won't be finding a spot in my collection.