Wine Tasting Tools & Essentials

This blog post is for anyone who wants to get into wine tasting but doesn’t know where to begin. What type of wine glass should I get? What’s the difference between preserved wine and unpreserved wine? Should I get a champagne flute or a champagne glass? These are just a few of the many questions you might have about wine tasting and the tools and essentials that come with it. Although it can be super overwhelming (don’t worry, you’re not alone!), I’ve got you covered! I’ve curated a collection of my favorite wine tasting tools and essentials from glassware to Coravin accessories (and I’ve included some awesome discount codes as well)!

If you’re interested in reading more about how wine tasting has changed due to COVID-19, read my blog post about it here. Additionally, here is a link to my list of Top 10 Napa Wineries, as well as my list of Top 10 Sonoma Wineries! Also, check out my collection of interviews with winemakers! That should kickstart your wine tasting journey, but feel free to poke around on this blog for even more!

Read on for my recommended wine tasting tools and essentials!

My Favorite Wine Tasting Tools & Essentials

Glassware

Riedel Veritas Pinot Noir/Burgundy Glasses (Set of 2)

Would you look at this set of Riedel Veritas Pinot Noir/Burgundy Wine Glasses ($69.97)! You’ll be seeing a lot of Riedel in this post because I never hesitate to recommend them to everybody I know. They’re high-quality, light, and elegant. These glasses pair well with Pinot Noir or Burgundy.

Riedel Vinum Oaked Chardonnay/Montrachet Glasses (Set of 2)

This is a set of Riedel Vinum Oaked Chardonnay/Montrachet Wine Glasses ($59.97). What makes these glasses unique is that they unleash the intensity of the wine’s various layers of aroma—everything starts with the glass (which is why it’s so important to get high-quality glassware if possible). If you’re fancying some Chardonnay or Montrachet, you can’t pass up on these!

Riedel O Bordeaux/Cabernet/Merlot Glasses (Set of 2)

This is a set of stemless Riedel O Bordeaux/Cabernet/Merlot Wine Glasses ($29.97). These glasses are perfect for everyday use, for any drink and for every occasion. You’ll love these if you drink red wines like Bordeaux, Cabernet, and Merlot.

Riedel Performance Champagne Glasses (Set of 2)

Who wants champagne? You’ve probably seen flutes used to serve champagne in films and on television shows, but believe it or not, flutes are not the best way to serve champagne. That’s because the smaller diameter of the rim of a champagne flute traps in the champagne’s aromas, preventing them from being released. In contrast, the sophisticated design of these Riedel Performance Champagne Glasses ($59.97) enables the aromas of the champagne to be released and helps the formation of champagne bubbles. What more could you want?

Decanters

Decanters are essential for both young and old wines alike. Decant young wines a few hours before serving. The wine will attain a stage of development that usually comes with years of aging. Decant old wines a few minutes before serving. This will ensure that deposits that have developed over time in the wine do not detract from the wine’s flavor or texture. Here are three Riedel decanters of varying price points and sizes—you can’t go wrong with any of them!

Apple Decanter ($49.97)

Cabernet Decanter ($69.97)

O Series Decanter ($199.97)

Cooling Cups

Who else loves lightly chilled wine? Pick up these Wine FREEZE Cooling Cups ($49.99)! Pop ’em in the fridge and the cooling gel will keep your wine crisp and chilled for hours.

Coravin

A Coravin is a wine preservation system that allows you to drink wine without ever pulling out the cork. Without a Coravin, even if you use another wine preserver, your wine will lose its flavor (and charm!) within a matter of days or weeks. A Coravin extends that preservation time to several years, allowing you to enjoy a bottle of wine years later—all with the same great taste and flavor as when you first tried it. Therefore, if you’re serious about wine tasting, this is an absolute essential! It certainly deserves a spot on my list of recommended Wine Tasting Tools & Essentials!

To receive 10% off your very own Coravin, use the code CC230490 at checkout!

Coravin Model 5 ($299.95)

Model 6 ($399.95)

Coravin Gas Capsules

These Coravin Capsules (price varies by quantity) are used to power Coravins to ensure a perfect seal and a perfect pour each time. Moreover, you can buy them in packs of 3, 6, 12, or 24.

Corkscrew

If you’re not in the market for a Coravin, you can pop open your wine bottle with this Spiral Winged Corkscrew ($15.99) instead.

Repour

Who would want to waste their wine OR their money? No need to worry about pouring out your wine that’s gone bad if you have Repour. Repour is a smart, affordable way to keep open bottles of wine fresh. Simply remove the foil and place the stopper in an open bottle. Check out Repour’s website here.