ModernGear Wine: Knobstoppers

"Wine is bottled poetry".

Robert Louis Stevenson

I've been enjoying wine very much lately. Lately as in the past, oh, 20 years. Wine is like that...it takes that long (longer, actually, probably a lifetime) to get to know your own palate and preferences, to figure out how to find the perfect wine for you, and to learn how to enjoy it to its fullest.

Honestly, my appreciation for the humble grape and its wonderful product grows and grows. It probably helps that I am reading the incredibly entertaining book Red, White and Drunk All Over: A Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass by sommelier and wine writer Natalie MacLean. Described as "A Year in Provence meets Kitchen Confidential then goes Sideways", the book explores the history of wine and delves into (sometimes undercover) the international wine world. I would highly recommend it, and Amazon is always a good place to get it:



Now, debates rage around the subject of wine with at least two issues to take a side on: red or white, and cork or cap...however, one thing we can all agree on is that when you want to save a bottle of wine for later, you've got to preserve what is inside. And to that end, there IS no end to the variety of bottle stoppers you can choose from, but I'm happy to share a line of stoppers that will satisfy oenophiles and design lovers alike.

Knobstoppers are beautiful re-purposed vintage door knobs with a hardwood-reinforced cork to plug your favourite bottle and save to savour tomorrow.
Available in a variety of "styles" of knobs, they range from whimsical and clever, like the hot and cold ones ($22 each) meant for red and white wine:
to the beautiful iron gate finial topper, $22:
and even plain but wonderful antique doorknobs with a patina of age and experience:

$26

$29

$26

The glass-topped stoppers remind me of the crystal doorknobs in my grandparent's house from years ago.

$36

Now, you don't have to be a wine drinker to enjoy these, either...they would be useful for any liquid you want to keep fresh - perhaps in an olive oil bottle, or maybe even a bubble bath bottle.

Even more styles are available on the Knobstoppers web site, and in stores across Canada and the USA. (Phone or e-mail - contact info is on the site - with your zip or postal code to find out where they are sold in your region).

The quality of Knobstoppers is as good as the looks - one would definitely withstand use for a long time. The fact is, though, we really have one just for show - a nice bottle of wine rarely lasts until the next day in our household!