hi, i’m kerrie, founder of plant & vine.
Whether you’re an experienced wine drinker or taking your first sips, the right wine accessories are important. I’ve included some of my favorite wine books, glasses, decanters, wine clubs, and bottle openers so you can drink easy. Cheers!
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Last Updated: December 13, 2018
learning about wine
- Wine Bible – A classic, as the title implies. Karen MacNeil takes readers through an overview of wine and then dives deep into the nuances of geography. Highly recommended. Take it slowly, learn a chapter at a time.
- Wine Folly – I love this book, and visual learners will too. Madeline Puckett’s easy-to-read guide on wine pairings, flavors, and regions. Her graphics are beautiful and engaging so you can visually understand the world of wine.
- Cork Dork – Journalistic insight into the world of wine. If you’re interested in what is happening behind the scenes at restaurants, vineyards, and wine collectors, this is a must read. I couldn’t put this one down; Bianca Bosker’s style is funny and engaging.
- Windows on the World: Complete Wine Course – Drink your way through the wine regions of the world. This is a wonderful resource for better understanding the world of wine, château by château, and a great ‘homework’ option for informal wine clubs among friends that want to share a common language (or book clubs that want an excuse for more wine).
If you’re serious about learning wine, I would recommend all four of these books. Each one distills thousands of hours of on-the-ground research into a fun and informative read that will expand your appreciation and understanding for wine.
drinking wine
I enjoy selecting the wine that I drink, but I also love a good surprise when a bottle shows up in my life. I’ve recommended my two favorite wine clubs below and a few resources for buying single bottles online.
- Cellars Wine Club – If you’re looking for a wine of the month membership, I highly recommend Cellars. They’re a Washington state company that creates bottle packages centered around your tastes – whether that is red, white, sparkling, sweet, or one-off premium bottles. They also have free shipping, their memberships are no obligation, meaning you can try them out for a few months and see how it works for you, and they have a “no bad bottle” policy. They also have a blog with articles like “Zodiac Wine Pairings,” so clearly, our stars are aligned.
- Winc – Winc bills itself as the Netflix of wine clubs. Answer a 6-question palate profile, select from Winc’s recommendations, and then rate your choices to create a feedback loop that continually learns your tastes. No commitment required and money-back guarantee if you don’t like a bottle. Largely domestic wines with a good selection of vegan wine offerings.
- Wine.com – Over 7,000 wines available, largely focused on New World Varietals. Different from Winc and Cellars Wine Club because you’re able to choose single bottles. Wine.com has a $49/year membership with free annual shipping so if you purchase more than a handful of bottles, this is a good option. Good search capabilities and knowledgeable experts available via chat to help with your purchase.
- KL Wines – Great wine selection for both international and domestic bottles – probably the best in the United States. Old school website (don’t be fooled, you’re on the right page). Carefully curated wine selection. Wine club options also available.
wine accessories
Wine glasses are the most important wine accessories, as they allow the wines to breathe and the aromas to fully develop. Red wine glasses tend to be taller with a bigger bowl, larger surface area for ethanol evaporation, and wider opening for a smoother taste. White wine glasses help their contents express more acidity and maintain cooler temperatures. If you really want to get into the nuances of wine accessories, check out this wine glass guide.
- Libbey Wine Glasses – Our go-to glasses for wine drinking around the house. Tulip-shaped glass is large enough to showcase bold reds and whites well. Durable enough for everyday use.
- Riedel Stemless Wine Glasses – I’m fond of stemless wine glasses. These are sturdy, beautiful glasses – a bit more durable that their stemmed counterparts (but these aren’t dishwasher safe!).
- Easy Wine Opener – We’ve used one of these around the house for ages. They hold up well over time and makes opening bottles of wine a total breeze.
- Wine Decanter – When your big red wines need to breathe before drinking so they’re not hot and acidic tasting, a decanter will be your best friend. Simply pour your wine into the decanter, let it breathe, and voila! Delicious complex red wine. If you want to learn the basics of wine decanters and how to use them, check out my best wine decanters guide.
If you’re filled to the brim with wine accessories, check out our kitchen essentials.