Pinky's Up: Elevated Wine Accessories Worth Owning
You don't need a sommelier's toolkit to enjoy wine more. You need a reliable opener, a way to let young reds breathe, and a way to save the half bottle you didn't finish. Here are the accessories that earn their drawer space, ordered from everyday to splurge, with an honest summary of what reviewers and owners report.
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The short versionQuick picks
| No. | Pick | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best electric openerSecura Electric Wine Opener $$$$ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
| 2 | Best manual corkscrewPulltap's Double-Hinged Waiter's Corkscrew $$$$ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
| 3 | Best handheld aeratorVinturi Red Wine Aerator $$$$ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
| 4 | Best budget preserverVacu Vin Wine Saver $$$$ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
| 5 | Best everyday glassesRiedel Vinum Cabernet/Merlot (set of 2) $$$$ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
| 6 | Best decanterLe Chateau Crystal Decanter with Aerator $$$$ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
| 7 | Best splurgeCoravin Timeless Three Plus $$$$ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
Best electric opener: Secura Electric Wine Opener
What reviewers say. Testing summaries from America's Test Kitchen and Liquor.com say it opens both natural and synthetic corks, and that one charge lasts about 30+ bottles. On the downside, it can wobble on some bottles and occasionally nicks a cork.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| One-button opening | Can wobble on some bottle necks |
| Foil cutter included | Occasionally nicks corks |
| Long battery life per charge | Needs charging, unlike a corkscrew |
Best manual corkscrew: Pulltap's Classic Double-Hinged
What the pros say. VinePair polled 12 wine professionals, and The Kitchn's coverage agrees: the Pulltap's is a sommelier favorite. Owners report theirs lasting 10+ years. The double hinge means two easy pulls instead of one hard yank. The only common complaint is that the foil blade dulls over time.
Best handheld aerator: Vinturi Essential Red Wine Aerator
What reviewers say. On r/wine and in Bon Appétit's coverage, the consensus is that it softens young, tannic reds quickly. That's the job. The caveat is that aeration is fixed, so delicate or older wines can taste flattened. Use it on a young Cabernet, not a 20-year-old Burgundy.
Best budget preserver: Vacu Vin Wine Saver
What testing shows. Independent tests (SAQ, America's Test Kitchen, Consumer Reports) found the pump keeps refrigerated wine in good shape for about one to three days. That's useful, but the "up to 10 days" lab claim is optimistic in real kitchens. If you regularly need a week or more, step up to a Coravin (see below).
Best everyday glasses: Riedel Vinum Cabernet/Merlot (Set of 2)
What owners say. Owners on r/wine and WineBerserkers call these great-value crystal that's dishwasher-safe. They're also thin. The most common breakage story is hand-drying, when the bowl twists against the stem. Let them air-dry, or use the dishwasher.
Best decanter: Le Chateau Crystal Decanter with Built-in Aerator
Check price on Amazon · Budget alternative: 750 ml decanter with built-in aerator
What reviewers say. Spruce Eats, Wine Cellar Diva and Liquor.com describe it as solid, easy to clean and effective. A few buyers report rim chips or small bubbles on arrival. The wide base takes a while to dry.
Splurge decanter: the Riedel Ultra Decanter is elegant and aerates well. Owners on r/wine and Liquor.com reviewers warn that the narrow neck is hard to clean and the last pours dribble. It's hand-wash only.
Best for chilling: Corkcicle Air Wine Chiller + Aerator
What testers say. Hands-on tests in The Guardian and The Kitchn agree: it keeps an already-chilled white cold on the table, but it won't quickly chill a warm bottle. Some note durability and drip complaints.
The splurge: Coravin Timeless Three Plus
Check price on Amazon ↗ · Pivot Plus (for opened bottles) ↗
Pour a glass without pulling the cork. Owners on r/wine and WineBerserkers say it works for days to weeks. Results depend on the cork, and argon capsules are an ongoing cost. Full breakdown in our smart bartending guide.
The ultimate accessory: a wine fridge
If bottles live on top of your kitchen fridge, the best upgrade isn't a gadget. It's steady temperature. See our dual-zone wine fridge guide, or start with the Wine Enthusiast 32-Bottle Dual Zone.
Keep reading: Best wine fridges · Aerator vs. decanter · The best whiskey glasses