Tools of the Trade
The essential accessories that elevate wine service from the functional to the ceremonial — and the objects that matter most
Wine accessories occupy a curious position in the wine lover's life: individually, each is a practical tool; collectively, they constitute a ritual vocabulary through which the serious enthusiast expresses their engagement with wine as a culture, not merely a beverage. The sommelier's tastevin, the collector's thermometer, the host's beautifully weighted wine key — these objects matter.
The wine knife — the sommelier's corkscrew — deserves particular attention. The traditional waiter's friend, with its two-step lever mechanism, remains the professional standard for good reason: compact, reliable, effective on any cork type from the firmest natural to the most delicate aged vintage. The Screwpull and its derivatives offer foolproof extraction at the cost of elegance. The twin-pronged "butler's thief" — the Ah-So — is the tool of choice for very old corks that might crumble under the pressure of a central screw.
Decanters serve both aesthetic and functional purposes. The large-bottomed, wide-necked decanter provides maximum surface area for the rapid aeration of young, tannic wines. The narrow-necked carafe preserves the delicacy of an older wine while separating it from sediment. Riedel, Zalto, and a handful of independent glassmakers produce decanters of genuine beauty alongside their functional credentials.
For the serious collector, a reliable cellar thermometer and hygrometer are essential — knowledge of the actual storage conditions transforms the management of a collection from guesswork to science. The best accessories are those that become invisible through use — so perfectly suited to their purpose that they cease to be noticed and simply allow the wine itself to be the focus.
“The best accessories are those that become invisible through use — so perfectly suited to their purpose that they allow the wine itself to be the entire focus.”