As the holidays near, the usual flood of catalogs has started, and I
have noticed more new or recent wine gadgets than usual. I will mention
a few that I think I can live without.

There is fusion stemware called virtually unbreakable. Instead of lead,
the glass contains magnesiuum. It is called the lightest and most
break-resistant glassware in the world. Move over titanium containing
glass of last year. I can see the advantage of being virtually
unbreakable. However if a normal wine glass is too heavy for you to
lift easily, I think you should go to the nearest hospital emergency
room at once, as you likely have a very serious health problem.

Then there is Symphony stemware. A name such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir,
etc is engraved on the base of each glass. It is said that these
glasses make you an expert.

There is Chardonnay anti-wrinkle cream to rejuvenate your skin. I hope
it works well, because a 2 oz bottle costs $US 45.

Or perhaps you would like a vintage chart tie.

Or give your dog a wine barrel bed for only $US 249.95.

Or you can age your wine at once with the Clef du Vin. A metal alloy on
the tip of the device is supposed to age the wine and soften the
tannins. It is said to have received wide acclaim throughout Europe. It
can be yours for US$ 99.95.

Or perhaps you need a wine lover magnetic poetry kit. There are many
magnetic pieces with wine related words that will stick to your
refrigerator. The pieces can be arranged to describe wines.

wrote:
> As the holidays near, the usual flood of catalogs has started, and I
> have noticed more new or recent wine gadgets than usual. I will mention
> a few that I think I can live without.
>
> There is fusion stemware called virtually unbreakable. Instead of lead,
> the glass contains magnesiuum. It is called the lightest and most
> break-resistant glassware in the world. Move over titanium containing
> glass of last year. I can see the advantage of being virtually
> unbreakable. However if a normal wine glass is too heavy for you to
> lift easily, I think you should go to the nearest hospital emergency
> room at once, as you likely have a very serious health problem.

Of all the gewgaws that you list, this one strikes me as at least
somewhat useful. I can well imagine having a set of "unbreakable"
glasses for parties where appreciation of the wine may not be te
foremost concern.

<SNIP remaining oddities>

This reminds me of the British notion of "silly season." As the
gift-giving season approaches at the end of the year, marketers come up
with all these new and useless gizmos for perplexed relatives to give to
their family oenophile.

Mark Lipton

wrote:
<truncated>
> Then there is Symphony stemware. A name such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir,
> etc is engraved on the base of each glass. It is said that these
> glasses make you an expert.

At least they don't read "Red" or "White" 8-)

> There is Chardonnay anti-wrinkle cream to rejuvenate your skin. I hope
> it works well, because a 2 oz bottle costs $US 45.

At that price, it would GIVE me wrinkles!

> Or you can age your wine at once with the Clef du Vin. A metal alloy on
> the tip of the device is supposed to age the wine and soften the
> tannins. It is said to have received wide acclaim throughout Europe. It
> can be yours for US$ 99.95.

Wonder if they have something that ADDS tannins to watery wines?

Dan-O (thanks for the levity, cwdjr)

This will pair nicely with the glasses that allow wine to "breathe"
through them.

On 15 Oct 2005 00:20:42 -0700, "
> wrote:

>
>Or you can age your wine at once with the Clef du Vin. A metal alloy on
>the tip of the device is supposed to age the wine and soften the
>tannins. It is said to have received wide acclaim throughout Europe. It
>can be yours for US$ 99.95.
>

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