Written By Vicki Anzmann
Probably discovered by mistake and revered by the ancients for its mystical powers, wine has been around since approximately 6000 B.C. More recently, an improved selection of lower-priced quality vintages has bolstered wine’s growing attraction. In addition, the expanding market has led to an extensive assortment of paraphernalia for the wine enthusiast.
Choose It Take the mystery out of choosing and buying wines. Find the ideal wine for the meal you’re planning, the ideal temperature at which to serve it and other pertinent information ready to hand in the form of a deck of cards: The Wine Deck: 50 Ways to Choose, Serve, and Enjoy Great Wines. $13.95, A Little Bit of Tuscany, 84 E. Main Street, Westminster, 410-857-4422, www.alittlebitoftuscany.com.
Cork It Vintage doorknob wine stoppers provide a unique way to cork your wine. In a variety of styles, no two doorknobs are exactly the same. $18.95 – $36.00, The Hive, 112 South Main Street, Mt. Airy, 301-829-9888, www.thehivecollection.com.
Charm It Keep track of your wine glass with one of these delightful pewter charms. Charms are available in a variety of themes. $16.99 for a set of six, Serpent Ridge Vineyard, 2962 Nicodemus Road, Westminster, 410-848-6511, www.serpentridge.com.
Store It A custom wine cellar is the ultimate in equipment for the wine collector. Currently working on a wine cellar installation in the Jefferson Hotel near the White House and with work featured in Wine Spectator magazine, Lou Hogan of Vintage Cellars can create a custom cellar or duplicate any space. Meetings with the client lead to sketches that are turned over to a cad/cam operator, which then leads to pricing. Simple racks start at $300; a climate-controlled cellar can be installed from $7,500 and up, with options and price limited only by the buyer’s pocketbook. Vintage Cellars of Maryland, Showroom at Accent Supply, 1300 Washington Road, Westminster, 410-984-4858, www.vintagecellarsmd.net.
Drink It (Uniquely) Custom-painted glassware by artist Melinda Byrd features colorful grapevines, flowers, and faces. Byrd Produces glassware designs in limited numbers, so customers can be assured a unique set. In addition, Ms. Byrd accepts custom orders for painted glassware based on a vacation photograph, a pet, or a special person. $20 – $25 per glass, $35 for carafe, Byrdcall Studio, 410-549-4889, www.byrdcallstudio.com, works on display at Off Track Art, 11 Liberty Street, Westminster.
