5/31/2010

Review of True Fabrications Cherry Wooden Bottle Stopper

This is a beautiful bottle stopper but it's a little small and doesn't fit tightly in the bottle.

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Product Description:
Preserve your wine up in style with this gorgeous collection of Wooden Wine Bottle Stoppers

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Review of WMF Vino Corky Bottle Stopper

This is a neat and cool looking bottle stopper. The fit and finish is nice, and the cork holder is a nice touch. It did keep my wine a bit more fresh, so does its job as promised.

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Product Description:
This decorative WMF Vino Corky Bottle Stopper tightly seals an opened wine bottle. Its silicone stopper band has the flexibility to fit a range of bottle necks, and its ring-shaped handle is the perfect place to put the original cork for display. Made of 18/10 stainless steel with a bright mirror finish, this bottle stopper underscores WMF's high quality standards.

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Review of Nachtmann Vivendi Wine Decanter

This is a very functional decanter. Most of the decanters i researched had reported pouring problems due to their design. This product had not been reviewed but its rounded shape suggested a better pour when emptying the decanter. This has proved to be the case. The last glass pours without any splash or spill problems. I am very pleased with this decanter and would buy another. The only downside is that it is very plain and may not suit those looking for a decorative decanter. If you are looking for something which provides good aeratrion with no pouring issues then this would be a good buy.


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Product Description:
Classic in style and ultra-functional, this Nachtmann Vivendi decanter marries well with the Vivendi stemware, creating a beautiful wine serving set. Decanting your favorite vino in this vessel exposes the wine to more surface area and oxygen, allowing the bouquet to fully develop to maximum potential for your ultimate enjoyment, while creating a visually stunning appeal, pour after pour.

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Review of True Fabrications Distressed Wood Wine Box Single Bottle Wine Holder

Gave this as a gift.Nice holder for a wine bottle to keep it steady inside the item.

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Product Description:
True Fabrications is the leading supplier of wine lifestyle products for you to better appreciate and enjoy your favorite bottle of wine. This line of our famous antique wine boxes is the ideal way to gift your precious wines or carry and protect them as you travel around the world.You can find several wood wine boxes to hold 1, 2, or even 6 bottles of wine.

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Review of Riedel Vinum Martini Glass, Set of 2

I had a set of these glasses already and my husband broke one of them, I was glad to see I could find them on Amazon! (you can find ANYTHING on Amazon!)

this is the perfect martini glass....small (I think it's under 5 oz.) but when you want a martini w/o a hangover, this is the glass to get. I would rather make myself a couple of small ones and control my pace, then 1 big one that warms up too fast.

Great glass!

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Product Description:
It's 5 o'clock somewhere! These Riedel martini glasses are the perfect match for cocktail hour. Designed for the home bartender, these glasses feature a rather elegant, yet frugal size of 4-5/8 ounces; a more humble approach to martinis and great for self-proclaimed lightweights. As always, Riedel delivers top-notch quality in gorgeous lead crystal, with classic style. Packed in a set of 2, these glasses stand 5-7/8 inches tall, with a full capacity of 4-5/8 ounces.

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5/30/2010

Review of Haier 18-Bottle Capacity Wine Tower Storage

1. It looks cool with the silver metal accents, tinted glass, illuminated interior with a cool blue light, and metal racks.

2. It keeps the bottles at an even temperature regardless of the ambient temperature which as anyone knows is the greatest factor in wine stability.

3. It doesn't have settings for humidity or dual-zone temperatures, but quite honestly I don't plan on keeping expensive 100-year old bottles stored in this thing that require such exquisite delicacy.

4. It is super-quiet.All you hear is a fan that turns on and off occasionally.I have it next to my hi-fi system and there is absolutely no interference whatsoever.

5. If you want a good-looking wine storage appliance that has a small footprint and keeps your bottles cooler than your pantry and warmer than the fridge without extra hassles, then this is the product for you.

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Product Description:
With an 18-bottle capacity, this stylish wine cellar elegantly stores and displays a personal collection of the finest wines, keeping them safe and ready to enjoy. Its ultra-quiet thermal-electric cooling system avoids vibrations caused by compressor cooling systems. Such vibrations disturb the sediments in wine, disrupting the aging process. Without vibration, the stored wine can age naturally. The wine cellar features a double-pane insulated glass door and a recessed handle, giving the unit a clean, simple look. Nine full-width wire chrome storage racks keep the bottles organized, while the interior light helps showcase the collection. Other details include an adjustable mechanical thermostat for setting the temperature from 50- to 64-degrees F, rear venting, and leveling legs that make it easy to stabilize the unit even if it sits on uneven ground. The wine cellar measures 22-5/16 by 11 by 40-29/32 inches and carries a one-year parts-and-labor warranty.

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Review of Metrokane Replacement Worm for Rabbit and Houdini Corkscrews

At one time we LOVED our RABBIT wine opener but after a few years it became almost impossible to open a bottle of wine.We complained and complained but never did anything about it until last month when we ordered a new WORM.It now works like a charm.

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Product Description:
Replacement worm for the Rabbit and Houdini wine corkscrews.

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Review of Riedel Vinum Chardonnay/Chablis Wine Glasses, Set of 6

This was one of the first Riedel glasses I bought. I've done many, many tests on how wine tastes differently in various glass options and in different situations. Riedel is one of the tests that is easy for even beginning drinkers to see the difference in. The flavor is *amazingly* different when you compare the exact same wine in a Riedel glass vs normal wine glasses.
Even if you buy inexpensive wines, you will get much more enjoyment out of them with this glassware compared to other options. If you are buying mid-range wines, the difference will blow you away. Think of the Riedel glass as allowing you to see what the wine in your bottle *really* was meant to taste like.
This is a great first glass for white wine drinkers to buy, because it is fantastic for Chardonnays of all price ranges. In addition, you can use the Chardonnay glass for a number of other white wine types, and find it greatly enhances the flavor for them all. If you're a white wine fan, definitely give these a try!

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Product Description:
What can we learn from a Riedel (rhymes with "needle") glass? That size matters, as does shape? That form following function has meaning for wine-lovers as well as designers? Or perhaps the deeper lesson that the contents of an outwardly "plain" glass may provide a more sensual, complex, and rewarding experience than those of a superficially beautiful one? The Austrian Riedel family has been involved with glass-making since 1756, but it was two centuries later that Claus Riedel conceptualized a glass made specifically to enhance the flavors and aromas of a designated wine. Through an involved process each style of glass is crafted to accentuate the strengths, while minimizing the weaknesses, of a particular spirit. This is done through changes in the size and shape of the bowl, the diameter of the opening and the cut and polished lip which directs the wine towards a specific area of the tongue. Small wonder Riedel stems are preferred by sommeliers and oenophiles world wide for their ability to transform the perception of a wine.

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Review of Vacu Vin Wine Saver

Yep, received the wrong stoppers too...
I ordered 2 sets of replacement ones for my dad who has the older VacuVin pump model.And like, apparently, everybody else I got the new ones.... Useless... I'm seriously wondering if they even have the older model in stock. Maybe they just send the new ones to all the "old timers" hoping thatit will motivate us to buy the new pump as well...
The one star is not for the product which is actually pretty good, but for the company that's pulling this very dishonest trick on us!
NOT HAPPY!

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Product Description:
Exposure to air has a deadly effect on wine. So what do you do when you uncorked another bottle, but your guests decided to call it a night? Save that perfectly good wine for another occasion with this vacuum pump and stopper. The air is pumped out and the cork seals the bottle tight.

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Review of Wine, Merlot, Chardonnay - Set of 3 Wrought Iron Metal Wall Words Sculpture (Wall Mount) Wine Wall Decor

this product (3 piece wall art set) was as advertised and had a great price.I gave it as a gift for Christmas and she really enjoyed it.They were a nice big size and looked great on the wall.

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Product Description:
Our wall words are made of tubular black metal, with an elegant script style and a matte powder coat durable finish. Each word has black circle hangers cleverly designed into the lettering. They will not crack, peel or warp, and best of all they hang easily with 2 simple nails or tacks, no wall anchors are necessary

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5/29/2010

Review of Riedel Cabernet Decanter

Buyer beware!This is being advertised here as easily holding a 750 ml bottle of wine.Yes, it will hold one 750 ml bottle but it is actually intended to be used as a 375 ml, 1/2 bottle personal decantor not a 750 ml bottle decantor (according to Reidel - discovered after receiving the product).

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Product Description:
Claus Riedel changed the world of wine with his revolutionary concept of functional wine stemware and decanting. He was the first designer to recognize that the bouquet, taste, balance and finish of wines are affected by the shape of the decanter and glass from which they are drunk.The Cabernet decanter by Riedel is fashioned from machine blown 24% lead crystal. Its elegant shape feels good to hold, looks trendy and it works - making it an ideal decanter for every day use and for every occasion.This stylish decanter makes an ideal gift for others or for yourself!Check out our complete range of Riedel decanters and glassware. 9-1/8 inches h. - 37.5 oz

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Review of NewAir AW-320ED 32 Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler and Refrigerator

I looked everywhere from Costco to Wine Stores trying to find a perfect wine cooler before a friend suggested Amazon. That's where I came across the NewAir AW320ED. This is a VERY nice unit! I previously purchased the Cuisinart before this one, but sent ended up returning it since it was so loud. I bought this one, and I couldn't be happier. It has a lot of great features that the Cuisinart did not and, in my opinion, looks nicer.

First, its very quiet compared to the Cuisinart. It has dual zones so I can storemy growing collection of both red and white wines. I love that it doesn't make more noise as my refrigerator. It also has screw-in feet that can be used to level it. This was particularly helpful with the textured travertine floor in my kitchen. Although, it's not a big deal unless your floors are not quite level like mine.


It has a nice LED light on the interior that is much brighter than the Cuisinart light. It cast a nice blue ray so I can easily find my wine for the night. I really like the touch screen controls as well. The temperature ranges are easily controlled with a touch of a button. It was also super easy to setup.
The unit even included a one year warranty, which help make my decision to purchase the unit. So far it has been about 5 months since I've had the cooler, and my wife and I are really pleased.
For about the same price as the Cuisinart, this is a much better unit. Buy it!


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Product Description:
The NewAir AW-320ED Thirty-Two Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler is an affordable way to keep wine at the perfect temperature. When wine is kept too cold, the aroma and flavor are affected because the wine loses flavor notes. When wine is kept too warm, the aging process is sped up which means the taste may be diffused or overly alcoholic.
The thirty-two bottle capacity of the NewAir AW-320ED thermoelectric wine cooler is perfect for people who like to have wine on hand for parties and gatherings as well as wine connoisseurs. The compact size makes it ideal for homes and offices and the sleek black cabinet design allows it to complement any decor.
Complete with two compartments and finely crafted glass doors, the NewAir AW-320ED thermoelectric wine cooler adds an air of sophistication to any environment. It utilizes thermoelectric technology which has very few moving parts. This allows the wine cooler to run vibration-free and silently. An internal light ensures that you always grab the right bottle for any occasion and the temperature control panel makes this wine cooler extremely simple to use. It is ETL listed for your safety.

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Review of Wine Bucket with Pipe Style Stand

There's no better way to keep that open bottle of wine chilled at within reach at your table that a shiny wine/champagne bucket and stand.I had been looking for one of these for years and when my wife found this one, we jumped on it.The seller shipped it fast and packaged it well - no damage or scratches to be found.It takes but a minute to put it together and voila! We're ready to dine in style.This thing is great.No more sweating chillers, drips, or water rings on the table.

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Product Description:
Chill your wine or champagne tableside with this elegant wine stand set. Constructed of stainless steel, this pair gleams with a mirror finish that makes the pipe-style stand and attractive ice bucket radiate with style and class. Ideal for keeping your favorite white wines on ice during dinner, this attractive champagne stand also makes the perfect pedestal for showing off your finest bottles of champagne during parties and special occasions. In stock and ready to ship. Features: Mirror finish stainless steel. Sturdy and durable construction. Stand ships unassembled - easy 3-piece assembly. Classy and elegant. . Specs: Stand assembly required. Stand Dimensions: 34"H from floor to bucket top. Bucket Dimensions: 8 1/2"H x 8"W.

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Review of Safari Wild Animal Wine Charms

I scoured the internet in search of wine charms for each of the different households in my family as these will be Christmas and birthday gifts. As a result I've ordered 6 different sets from 3 different sellers (only because there wasn't one seller who carried all 6 of the themes I was looking for). Suffice to say, I bought the safari set from Gifts From a Distance (and also the music set from them) and of all the themes I've purchased, this one is the cutest by far. The picture above doesn't do it justice. In fact in the picture they almost looked platic or glass, but they are pewter (I think). Additionally this is now my favorite seller on Amazon. They ship things out immediately and also take great care in packaging the items so that they arrive in perfect condition.

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Product Description:
These big game wine charms will steal the show at your next get together. Simply attach these collectible pieces on to your stemware so each guest can find their wine easily and not start sipping on yours by mistake! Set of 6, comes in gift box.

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Review of Vacu Vin WineMaster Corkscrew

I have a modest collection of corkscrews. In my opinion, the Vacu Vin Winemaster is the best corkscrew for most people. For example, I also have the Screwpull Elegance, which is the top-of-the-line lever model from the company that invented the Leverpull; but I reach much more frequently for the Winemaster.
Some advantages of the Winemaster, particularly in comparison with the Screwpull Elegance:
1. The Winemaster is easy to grab, and lightweight. The Elegance is somewhat cumbersome and the handles flop around unless you grab it just so.
2. The Winemaster includes an excellent foil cutter (very nearly as good as Screwpull's) that is easily removed and replaced from the unit with one hand. Removal of Screwpull's foil cutter from the Elegance stand is more cumbersome and requires both hands.
3. The Winemaster requires less strength. Once the Winemaster is pressed down with relatively little effort to grip the top of the bottle, the unit is secured and doesn't have to be continually held to the bottle with hand strength as is the case with the Elegance.
4. Both hands can therefore be used to push down upon the Winemaster's two levers. The pressure upon the bottle is symmetrical, and little strength is required. With the Elegance, a sticky cork will be too much for someone who does not have much hand and forearm strength.
5. The Winemaster has a small footprint on your shelf. The Elegance, while it comes with a stand in contrast to many leverpull-type corkscrews, occupies quite a large footprint.
Some pluses for the Elegance:
1. The Elegance is a bit more majestic-looking than the Winemaster. The Elegance (and its price) therefore make for a more impressive gift as long as the recipient has appropriate forearm and hand strength.
2. The Elegance is a little faster (a matter of seconds) than the Winemaster. This is only important if you are opening a large number of bottles at the same time.
3. The Elegance can open superflange bottles. The Winemaster can also open flange bottles but was not able to grip the one superflange bottle that I have tried to open. Therefore, I recommend that you also have a high-quality waiter's corkscrew, which will serve as a backup for the Winemaster; and you can use it on picnics or for traveling. Good waiter's corkscrews do not require much strength as long as you pull the cork straight out:
My personal favorite waiter's corkscrews are
1. Boomerang Waiter's Corkscrew- It has a large handle, a built-in foil cutter as good as the Winemaster's, a floating axis for the spiral hinge (this helps keep the cork straight, for proper ease of removal) and a high-quality spiral (but not Teflon coated). It is inexpensive.
2. Pulltap's Waiter's Corkscrew - It has a two-position arm, which is another way of helping to keep the cork straight as it is removed, and is available with a Teflon-coated spiral. It is compact and well made. It is inexpensive, with optional more expensive handle finishes (Pulltap's Premium Corkscrew); I like the Graphite.
3. Puigpull Waiter's Corkscrew - The Teflon-coated spiral is inserted in the ordinary way; but it is removed by an amazing car-jack type mechanism, as easy as the Winemaster! (It takes a couple of minutes to read the instructions, just as with the Winemaster.) It is very compact, well made and a conversation piece. It is available in a variety of handle finishes, all inexpensive; I like the Hammered Gray.
If any of these are not available from Amazon, you can check the web site of the importer, Franmara, which is the major importer for corkscrews to the USA and was still selling to individual consumers the last time I checked.
Therefore, for most people, I recommend the Winemaster as the best corkscrew.

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Product Description:
The VacuVin® WineMaster Corkscrew--Clear

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5/28/2010

Review of 100 Wine Enthusiast Color Coded Wine Bottle Tags

I bought some of these and they are well made, but the hole is not flexible and only fits Bordeaux sized necks.There are some odd shaped mouths, like those on Rosemount Shiraz bottles that won't fit, and most Burgundy bottles won't fit.As a result, you have to tear the label to get it to go around the neck.

Amazon also sells another style of label which is made of a lesser quality paper, but it has slits around the opening so that it can fit any style neck and still stay securely on the necks of the smaller bottles.That is the one I'll be buying from now on.

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Product Description:
Organize your wines for easy access. Wine bottle tags let you arrange your wine collection so you can separate your Bordeaux from your Burgundy without having to read the wine labels. Differentiate wines that are ready to drink from those that are still aging. These perfectly cut wine bottle tags fit large Champagne bottlenecks (flange-tops, too) and won't slip off standard wine bottlenecks. Made of durable resin-coated paper that accepts any writing instrument. Each pack is only available with 25 of each color; blue, yellow, green and white for a total of 100 bottle tags. Colors are not sold separately.

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Review of Screwpull Lever Model Classic Wine Opener with Wooden Gift Box

This is absolutely the best wine opener available. After you use one, you will wonder why you ever opened a bottle any other way. The foil cutter is very easy to operate, and the opener itself will have your bottle opened and the cork ejected from the screw in a matter of seconds. No mess, no trouble.

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Product Description:
This classic wine opener is Screwpull's most refined lever model, offering a modern streamlined design and unparalleled performance. It features ergonomic handles and a molded rubber cushion to ensure a secure grip, and comes with Screwpull's foil cutter for neat and easy removal of the foil. The wine opener's perfectly shaped Teflon-coated screw can open 2,000 bottles before it needs to be changed. It's designed to glide smoothly through even the toughest corks and is crafted slightly shorter to protect against piercing the bottom of the cork, keeping cork particles out of the wine. Specially packaged in a classic wooden box, the LM-300 and foil cutter make an elegant gift set. This set comes with a 10-year warranty and is dishwasher-safe.

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Review of CIRCULAR WINE CORK TRIVET

I expected this to be rather flimsy but it is firm and holds its shape while the corks are turned onto it.Each of the eight "worms" is high-quality, better than a lot of inexpensive corkscrews intended for opening wine, and crafters could actually remove them with a bolt cutter and turn them into individual corkscrews.A great product.

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Product Description:
Circular wine-cork trivet converts wine corks from special bottles into a functional conversation piece. After enjoying wine continue the fun by screwingeach cork onto the sturdy eight-pronged metal frame. Serves as a unique decorative piece for the table, ready to hold hot dishes at any meal. Makes a great housewarming gift. Metal, 6 1/2 x 1/2".

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Review of Swissmar Epivac Wine and Champagne Saver Set

Erik was right.He is not "advocating bad physics".The pressure function of this product does not preserve the ability of the wine to make bubbles after you pour it, any better than an extremely airtight stopper.See for example the Pedrini champagne stopper sold here on Amazon.So this product works, but not because you pump air into the bottle with it.It works because it lets no CO2 out.You cannot keep CO2 in solution by increasing the air pressure inside the bottle.CO2 will always diffuse out into the space above the wine.The amount of CO2 dissolved in the wine stabilizes only when there is enough CO2 above the liquid so that it enters and leaves solution at the same rate (equilibrium).The pressure of the other gases above the wine does not prevent the CO2 from entering or leaving solution.This is known as Henry's Law.An unopened champagne bottle has 3 or 4 atmospheres of CO2 gas (produced by yeast after bottling) above the wine.So unless you pump it with 3 or 4 atm of CO2 and let it sit awhile, it will never be as fizzy as when you opened it.Nitrogen and oxygen are about 10 times less soluble in water than CO2, so you would need 30 or 40 atm of pressure to get the same amount of gas into the wine!

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Product Description:
The Epivac wine and champagne preserving pump is the world's first dual function vacuum / pressure pump. The wine function removes air from the bottle, preventing further fermentation and preserves your wine for days. The champagne function pumps air into the bottle, preventing the dissipation of the bubbles and preserves your champagne for days.The set includes a stand, a patented dual function preserving pump, 2 color-coordinated wine stoppers, 1 champagne stopper and instructions. Gift boxed. 6 inches

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Review of NewAir AW-210ED NewAir Thermoelectric Wine Cooler With Dual Temperature Zones

I ordered this as a present for my wife, and read a lot of reviews. There were so many negative product reviews for wine coolers, I really didn't know which one was actually the truth. I didn't know what to buy or who to believe.

This fridge is really quiet. In an empty room without any other appliances on, you can't hear it.

It's beautiful. It's aesthetically pleasing and fits in well into our dining room. She loves the sleek black finish, we get lots of compliments on it. It gets a lot of attention believe it or not. Some people are really impressed by it. My friends think NewAir should of made room for cans of Bud Light, but I disagree. The unit stores my $300 bottles of Opus One. It is definitely a higher end unit meant to store wine collections notbeer for UFC fights. Same high quality as Cuisinart models we've seen at Bloomingdales, but bigger which means more room for WINE! I would definitely choose this unit over a built in unit. This model requires some room for venting like mostrefrigerators, which makes sense. We had a built in wine cooler in our last house and it was nothing but problems. When they had to fix because the compressor went I had to contact a laundry list of people because the manufacturer went out of business. Then the guy who came to fix it decided it was ok to damage our granite bar top to access the built in wine cooler.

No assembly except putting on the handle. Let's face it not many of us spoiled Southern Californians are handy.

he temperature holds steady and does not reset when exposed to sunlight, or when the room is warm. It's really easy to read the temp setting, really easy to set, and it works like a dream. The LED lighting is awesome. Also, you can feel the difference in temperature between the 2 zones.

Dollar for dollar, this was competitively priced. I really liked my experience with Air & Water. They were great. And, we're SO happy with it.

I know you will be too.

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Product Description:

NEW PRICE REDUCTION -- DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS GREAT OFFER! Anyone who's ever opened a much-anticipated bottle of wine can attest to the effects of improper wine storage. Wine that is served too cold can affect its flavor and aroma notes while wine that is served too warm will speed up the aging process and cause an overly alcoholic taste. As such, whether you're a budding wine aficionado or a true oenophile, a thermoelectric wine cooler such as the NewAir AW-210ED will allow you to serve your favorite vintages as they should be enjoyed.


The space-saving and compact NewAir AW-210ED thermoelectric wine cooler has a large, twenty-one bottle capacity that makes it perfect for any household. The LED display, digital controls, and a touch button control panel all allow for easy operation. Moreover, the NewAir AW-210ED even has an LED light within the cooler itself for enhanced visibility.


However, perhaps the mainstay of the AW-210ED thermoelectric wine cooler is its dual temperature zones. This means that the cabinet's upper and lower zones are specialized, independently refrigerated chambers with separate temperature control capabilities which allow you to chill two different types of wine at once. Best of all, in terms of noise, the NewAir AW-210ED is silent and vibration-free due to thermoelectric electric technology.


Therefore, if you need a large-capacity wine cooler that has the ability to chill multiple types of wine with just one unit, try the NewAir AW-210ED.

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5/27/2010

Review of Haier HVUE06ABB 6-Bottle Wine Fridge, Black

I purchased this for my husband for Christmas (2007). It's been plugged in and working since late November (more below) with no problems. This is the first wine fridge that we've ever owned so, admittedly, I have nothing to compare it to. I read reviews about other smaller fridges and decided to go with this one because of its size and controls. We keep it on the floor underneath our bar/counter area.It's nice to have to keep those bottles of white wine cold and ready to go at a good temperature instead of being too cold and taking up room in your real fridge.

Only (very minor) complaint deals with the seller- as I said, I got this for my husband for Christmas. They sent it in its original box without any other box or coverings on the outside. It arrived and was on our front porch on a day when my husband was the first to come home, so...he got his Christmas present a little early. ;)

ETA: Have had this little fridge for 2 years now and it's still going strong. One feature I like: the inside light that turns on and off. It's nice to see what's in there without opening the door.In terms of storing bottles, you can't store fat bottles (like champagne) on the top shelf. But that's not too big of a deal. We just put them on the lower shelves.

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Product Description:
6 Bottle Wine Fridge- Black

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Review of AW-280E NewAir 28 Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler

I've owned this fridge for three months now, and for the price, it hasperformed reasonably well--so far. When you add together the price and the shipping rates, you probably won't be able to find a cheaper thermoelectric wine fridge with this storage capacity. (I consider the non-vibrating feature of thermoelectric fridges an important requirement for cellaring wine long term.) However, there are some definite deficiencies and one really big question mark about long-term performance.

As my wine collection has grown, I've purchased several wine fridges from different manufacturers. Of the four wine fridges I now own, this one has the cheapest look and feel. Yes, it looks quite attractive from a distance, but when you get up close, you notice that every element of its construction seems just a little (and sometimes a lot) flimsier than my other fridges. For example, the material used for the inside walls of this fridge looks and feels like extremely thin plastic that could easily crack or be punctured. (The plastic liner seems comparable in weight and thickness to the thin plastic that is often used for packagaing small electronics accessories like headphones or video cables.) This plastic inside wall liner will probably hold up just fine if treated gently, but it seems like a clue to overall quality.

Similarly, the chrome trays that hold the bottles are just a little thinner, lighter, and flimsier than those in my other wine fridges. Speaking of the trays, with a tray loaded with bottles, you are supposed to be able to pull it out a few inches to get easier access to the bottles and a better view of the label. But the trays on this fridge do not slide smoothly once they are loaded with wine. Instead, they snag and get hung up. In fact, I worry that the force required to unstick and pull out a tray with bottles on it either might cause the bottles to come flying out on onto the floor or might tear the thin plastic that lines the inside walls of the fridge. So to get a tray out safely, you have to remove the bottles first, which defeats the purpose of having trays that are supposed to slide partway out for easier viewing and access.

With gentle and careful use, you can probably avoid problems with the flimsy physical construction of this fridge; however, the thing that worries me most about this fridge is the long-term endurance of the thermoelectric cooling device. This fridge sits side-by-side with another fridge I own that was made by another manufacturer and has exactly the same storage capacity. Compared to the other manufacturer's fridge, the AW fridge's cooling device kicks on and runs more often and longer--probably more than twice as long--to maintain the same temperature. With the temp set at 55 degrees, this fridge's cooling system runs almost non-stop, never shutting off for more than just a few minutes before kicking back on for another long stretch, and that's what makes me worry about long term durability. Because of my concern about the cooling device running constantly, I've raised the temp setting from 55 to 58 degrees, and that seems to help somewhat, but this thermoelectric fridge's cooling device still runs much more often andmuch longer with the setting at 58 degrees than my other same-size thermoelectric fridge does at 55. It only makes sense that the more often the cooling device kicks on, and the longer it runs, the shorter will be its working lifespan.

One last word to the wise: For those who are just starting to appreciate the pleasures and advantages of cellaring your own wine, maybe it makes sense to buy a small cheap "starter" unit until you can decide whether your wine bug is a temporary infection, a manageable illness, or a lifelong obsession. But before doing as I did--buying a second, and then a third, and then a fourth fairly small fridge--consider taking the money you'd spend on a bunch of small fridges and instead putting those dollars into the cost of one higher quality, higher capacity unit that will solve your wine-storage needs over the long haul. Better yet, find 25 or 30 cubic feet of space under the stairs or in a closet of your house, wall it off, put in racks, insulate it, and buy a cooling unit to refrigerate it, to make your own mini-cellar where you can easily store several hundred bottles.

The Bottom Line: This fridge seems like a fair deal for the price, but if I had it to do over, I think I'd be better off in the long haul spending just a little more for a probably more durable fridge of the same size (which you can find on sale for not that much more), or putting the money into a much larger fridge or cellaring system that would better satisfy both present and future wine storage needs.

Click Here to see more reviews about: AW-280E NewAir 28 Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler

Product Description:
The NewAir AW-280E Eighteen Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler has a capacity to hold twenty-eight bottles. The digital controls make it incredibly easy to use. There is an LED light and a touch screen on the display. There is also an LED light inside the wine cooler so that you know exactly what wine you are pulling out. For a touch of sophistication the racks inside of the NewAir AW-280E are chrome plated. It also operates silently and vibration free so that given any situation it should not disturb anyone. For a compact thermoelectric wine cooler that holds twenty-eight bottles, try the NewAir AW-280E.SpecificationsModel: AW-280EBottle Capacity: 28 bottlesDimensions: 18.0" x 29.8" x 21.3"Ground Weight: 59 lbsNet Weight: 50 lbs.Made in: ChinaVoltage: 100-120V ACFrequency:60 HzWattage: 70W (77 degrees Fahrenheit)Current:1.0A (77 degrees Fahrenheit)Vibration-free thermoelectric coolingTouch control panelLED displayDigital temperature control

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Review of Schott Zwiesel Forte Tritan Crystal Red Wine Glasses Set of 6

not necessarily the most stylish looking, but my parents break glasses all the time, but not these. they are very pleased with them.

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Product Description:
Schott Zwiesel has created crystal glasses that are individually tempered in three zones for greater strength.Highly resilient to dishwashers and accidental breakage and chipping, each glass will stand up to everyday use while looking great.Schott Zwiesel (a brand of Zwiesel Kristallglas, AG) has a 130 year history of innovation and success, including such break through developments as the first machine made stemware and the first lead-free crystal glass. With the introduction of the proprietary Tritan?? Crystal technique (the result of special additives such as titanium with a unique tempering process) Zwiesel has once again revolutionized the industry. Rigorous laboratory testing proves the brilliance, dishwasher safety, and break resistance of Tritan.

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Review of Cuisinart CWC-600 Private Reserve 6-Bottle Stainless-Steel Countertop Wine Cellar

Good:
* Nice looking, well built
* Digital display with presets for easy temperature setting
* Interior light

Bad:
* Constantly powering on and off every 2 minutes for 20-30 seconds
* Noisy fan while powered on. Louder than a full-sized fridge.
* In the event of a power failure, the unit defaults to the coldest setting (45F) which is a more drastic temperature range than if I left my wine on the counter.

Update: My electric bill went up 157% after plugging in this unit. I would reduce this to zero stars, but Amazon won't let me change my rating.

DO NOT BUY THIS ITEM!!!!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cuisinart CWC-600 Private Reserve 6-Bottle Stainless-Steel Countertop Wine Cellar

Product Description:
Protect the integrity of your favorite wines with the Cuisinart Private Reserve Wine Cellar.This elegant countertop cellar chills wines using thermoelectric cooling technology, which eliminates noise and vibration.Patented program with 8 presets for proper serving and storage temperature or any variety of white or red wine with the ability to adjust the temperature manually keeps up to 6 bottles of wine at the perfect serving temperature.Designed in the style of full-size cellars, with a stainless steel door, interior light, and3 removable chrome racks designed to hold 750ml or 1500ml bottles the Cuisinart Private Reserve is a beautiful way to display wines and champagnes.

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Review of Spiegelau Vino Vino Bordeaux Glass, Set of 4

We love these glasses and feel that for the price they are a great value.We even put them in the dishwasher after every use and they come out crystal clear. The size, shape, and glass thickness are all perfect for us (we usually drink cabs, zins, and syrahs).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Spiegelau Vino Vino Bordeaux Glass, Set of 4

Product Description:
These Spiegelau Vino Vino Bordeaux glasses feature bowls that are modeled after Spiegelau's most popular Vino Grande collection with added pulled stem technology, providing a very refined, more durable stem. Designed to enhance the flavor and bouquet of bigger reds, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Red Bordeaux, these glasses will have you and your guests savoring every sip, and basking in maximum wine drinking pleasure. The factory is nestled in a small Bavarian town bearing the company's name, Spiegelau has been making glassware for nearly 500 years.

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5/26/2010

Review of Emerson Single Bottle Wine Chiller

Don't waste your money. A HUGE disapointment. Does not actually chill wine. I suppose it will help to "maintain" a temperature, but I never have a bottle open long enough to keep it at a specific temperature. After all...the reason you open it IS to drink it!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Emerson Single Bottle Wine Chiller

Product Description:
The FR10BK single wine bottle cooler by Emerson is the perfect solution for those who love wine but are limited on space.The wine cooler features a thermoelectric cooling and warming system with a temperature control range of 27 degrees to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.The cooler works with AC or car adapter so you can take a cool bottle of wine as a gift to a dinner party.Temperature is controlled digitally so you can program cooler to the exact temperature you desire.The cooler does not have a compressor so you can enjoy limited noise and no vibration.

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Review of Metrokane Deluxe Rabbit with Foilcutter

The Rabbit is very adept at removing a cork from a bottle. It is not as good at removing the cork from the corkscrew. The handle is just a little too short, lacking enough leverage and requiring a strong force at an awkward angle for the final stroke. Worse, it is very easy to smash a finger at the moment the screw fully unwinds from the cork. This releases all resistance so the handle smashes into the main part. You will definitely learn to grasp near the end of the handle to avoid a mean pinch.
The corkscrew rotates as it plunges into the cork during the first stroke. While the screw is rotating all the force of the handle is pushing down on it. The bearing assembly (part of the screw) is just a couple of washers. Because of friction the screw doesn't want to turn, requiring a lot of force at the handle. The bearing is a weak point of the design in my opinion.
After a few months use the friction got worse and it became more and more difficult to use. It took so much force that eventually the screw bent. I had cut it out with a hacksaw.
I ordered a replacement screw and noticed the bearing was dry of any lubrication. Hmmmm. I added a few drops of motor oil. Now the Rabbit flys! It is SO much easier to use. If the cork is old (we like those old bottles) it is practically effortless to uncork the bottle and to uncork the Rabbit. An amazing difference. New, fresh wines with plastic seals are almost as easy to remove.
My suggestion is to put a few drops of a motor oil or machine oil on the bearings. Remove the cap, take out the screw ("worm" in Rabbit land), and get it totally slippery. If you don't have a quart of motor oil handy, use Vaseline or a mineral oil. Don't use a vegetable oil; it will only work for a while before it oxidizes and turns sticky.

Cheers.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Metrokane Deluxe Rabbit with Foilcutter

Product Description:
Pop the cork in just three seconds with the Rabbit Deluxe Corkscrew Set. With its brushed steel, rabbit ear pulls, this tool is both whimsical and functional. It works on all types of bottles, and features ergonomic, cushioned-grip pads for easier operation. Fits perfectly in the hands as you uncork the bottles. Comes with a matching foil cutter and a Rabbit "Hutch" - a gift box - so it's ready to give to your favorite at-home bartender. Not recommended for rubber or plastic corks. To clean, use a damp, soapy sponge.

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Review of Pedrini Wine & Bar Metal Bottle Stopper, Chrome

I liked this item. Its very durable and seals bottles well. I think its a bit expensive though so I am not sure if I would buy it again.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Pedrini Wine & Bar Metal Bottle Stopper, Chrome

Product Description:
Pedrini's Wine and Bar selection is dedicated to the Art of Drinking!The unmistakable Pedrini design uses the brilliance of steel with stylish silver colour accents and becomes the perfect companion of the magic and friendly atmosphere of your home bar.Beautifully designed bottle stopper with sealing gasket and chrome finish.

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Review of Swissmar Decanting Wine Funnel, 6-hole Stem with Stand

I couldn't be happier with this purchase.Filter, decant, and aerate all in one step with this convenient decanting funnel.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Swissmar Decanting Wine Funnel, 6-hole Stem with Stand

Product Description:
Keep wine sediment away with this decanting funnel from Swissmar.This 18/10 stainless steel wine decanting funnel has a two-tone brushed and polished stainless steel finish.The funnel includes stand and measures 3 3/8" x 5 1/2".

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Review of Haier HVTS04ABB 4-Bottle Wine Cellar, Black

The cooler works great. The digital temp. setting only flucuates 1 degree and serves my purpose well. I highly recommend this wine cooler.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Haier HVTS04ABB 4-Bottle Wine Cellar, Black

Product Description:
Touch screen Control; Perfect For Both Red & White Wines; Features Double Pane Insulated Glass Door With Black Trim/Black Cabinet; Variable 46Deg -65Deg F With Led Temperature Readout;3 Full-Width Chrome Storage Racks; Soft Interior Light; Stainless Steel Grip Handle; Vibration Free, Ultra-Quiet Thermal Electric Cooling;4-Bottle Capacity

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5/25/2010

Review of Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Classico Collection

I was looking for martini glasses as a gift for my father.I wanted ones that fit easily in the dishwasher, so I ordered these.I did not get a chance to measure them at Christmas at my parents, but they were certainly quite a bit taller than 6.4 inches shown in the description, as they were not close to being the same height as other glasses I have that are 6.5 inches and fit upright in my dishwasher.Other than that they were very nice with a fairly large bowl.Would have given them 5 stars if the dimensions had been correct.They are a good value if you don't care about the height.(my parents are going to wash them laying sideways in the dishwasher)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Classico Collection

Product Description:
Schott Zwiesel, the famed German producer of The Best Crystal Glassware has been a leader in innovation, style and technology for more than 100 years.The company has many firsts to its credit, including the first fully automated product of glass blown glass stemware.In the 1990's, as the glass industry struggled with the environmental issues of lead and other heavy metals in crystal, the company was the first glassmaker to produce lead-free crystal glass of superb quality and brilliance. Schott Zwiesel created Tritan Crystal in 2001 by adding titanium oxide and zirconium oxide to develop The World's Best Crystal Glass.Tritan Crystal is 100-percent dishwasher safe-it will not etch, cloud or discolor for the life of the glass.Tritan resists the damages of daily use-breakage, chipping and scratching.Tritan is thermal shock resistant.Tritan is one of the most clear and brilliant crystal, capable of conducting, refracting and transferring light more than any other crystal.Tritan tempers the rim, the bowl and stem joint and the foot edge for added strength against chipping and breakage.All crystal items manufactured by Schott Zwiesel are cut with our patented laser technology for a smooth thin, elegant edge.All stemware products are seamless after manufacturing; no unsightly seams remain between the bowl and stem, on the stem , or under the foot of the glass.Each detail of size, weight and balance is carefully studied by experts in the culinary field and our manufacturing engineers and executes to produce a glass for the maximum pleasure with focus on delivering the wine or spirit to its maximum potential. The Classico collection is truly a classic design, noted for its great durability and elegance.The design integrates moderately tall stems, and bowls that have a classic soft round shape with a slightly wider opening. This Classico set of 6 Tritan white wine styled stemware pieces is best utilized with tastings and rose wines. Dishwasher safe.

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Review of Riedel Vinum Extreme Chardonnay Glasses, Set of 2

I was in a tasting room in the Russian River Valley when I first got to use these glasses -- it was love at first sight.I already have the full line of Riedel Sommelier glasses, but these are a little less pretentious and a lot more fun for a casual occasion.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Riedel Vinum Extreme Chardonnay Glasses, Set of 2

Product Description:
A perfect addition to your Riedel collection, these Riedel Vinum Extreme Chardonnay glasses are designed specifically for wines such as Chardonnay, White Burgundy, Montrachet and Meursault. The Extreme line, most known for their larger, more dramatic diamond shaped bowls, provide an even larger surface area, exposing the wine to more oxygen and allowing it to fully open up, resulting in heightened performance, and further enhanced drinking experience for those using them. The Riedel Vinum Extreme collection was designed in response to the continued improvement in the quality of wines being produced today. As wines have become more dense, concentrated and perfected, so has the call for new glass shapes. The Extreme line is machine-made of 24% lead crystal.

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Review of Villeroy & Boch Miss Desiree Crystal Wine Glass

I purchased these when Amazon was running a 4 for 3 sale. Price came to about 12 bucks a glass.

The design is lovely. The glasses are heavy and can stand up to dishwashing. Only gripe I have is that there is a visible seam going down the side of the glass.For twelve bucks, I don't mind. But I would never use these for a fine dining event.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Villeroy & Boch Miss Desiree Crystal Wine Glass

Product Description:
The laurel leaf design in combination with the panel cuts in this favorite stem adds sparkleand complements so many dinnerware patterns in the Villeroy & Boch tableware collection.The faceted cuts on the stem are enhanced by a cut ball design.The weight and feel of this full lead crystal stem lends itself to casual entertaining on the patio or a four course meal in the dining room. The thickness of the glass adds to its durability andis also dishwasher safe.

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Review of Wine and Stemware rack (Natural) (8"H x 21"W x 10"D)

I lack a lot of under-cabinet space to mount hanging stemware racks and also don't have a lot of counter space for storing bottles properly on their sides.Searching for wine/glass storage opportunities proved to be somewhat difficult since I needed a tandem combo that wasn't too large and wouldn't pull down the kitchen wall.This one looked pretty good and not as heavy as some of the wrought iron pieces I was finding.

Installation may look tricky at first, but there are easy shortcuts.There are 4 components to the product: the metal brackets that attach to the wall, metal rods that screw into the brackets to support the rack, the wooden rack, and a metal apparatus on top for securing bottles.I attached one bracket at the height I wanted, then assembled the rack and raised the opposite side until it was level.I then drilled the pilot hole for my wallboard bracket and voila!I was done installing in about 5 minutes.

I was a bit worried at first because the setup seems kinda flimsy -- you have a metal plate on the wall with a metal rod that screws into it to support the rack.All that is holding the rack up is a 1/2 inch metal rod.I was anticipating the rod would bend easily with time.However, it has held up pretty well (1 year out now).

I give the product 4 stars because while it is aesthetically unassuming and does a small-time oenophile well, it has one or two flaws.The first is that the rack pitches downward very slightly.Maybe only 2 degrees or so, but enough to make an OCD person like myself a little anxious.Also the metal apparatus on top is not secured to the rack -- it just sits on top.The weight of the bottles holds it in place, but again, it's unnerving.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Wine and Stemware rack (Natural) (8"H x 21"W x 10"D)

Product Description:
An understated wall-mounted rack designed to quietly hold 5 bottles of wine and up to 15 glass stems. Metal wine bars on a wood stemware rack. The cast brackets must mount into solid wood. 16" space between mounting brackets. Stemware slots can accommodate stemware bases up to 1/2" thick and 3 1/4" wide. . Made in America

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5/24/2010

Review of Art Glass Wine Charms Assorted Multi Colored Discs

I'd been looking for a set of affordable wineglass charms for what seemed like forever when I stumbled on these. It comes with 6 charms for only six dollars!The actual stones seem a bit large but its a great deal and a useful product.
They make a great, practical gift for anyone who entertains! I bought them for my grandmother and grandfather who share a bottle of wine with the family at holiday gatherings and we always seem to have the all too common problem of misplacing or mistaking our glass for someone elses.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Art Glass Wine Charms Assorted Multi Colored Discs

Product Description:
These hand crafted wine charms will make sure everyone is drinking from their own glass, just like Mom always used to say. Multi colored discs shapes are featured in this set of 6 wine charms.

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Review of Brandy Warmer Set

Elegant, sturdy warmer set. My husband loved it. Only wish the snifter was a bit bigger, but its pretty cool.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Brandy Warmer Set

Product Description:
Bring out the best in brandy. Enjoy the aroma and flavor of warm brandy or Cognac. Cradle the snifter over the gentle flame and unlock the character of barrel aging. Includes warmer and snifter. Hand made of non leaded glass. Recommend to hand wash.Size: Snifter - 4"H, 9 oz.

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Review of Curtis FRW656 46-Bottle Wine Cooler

Arrive as expected with minor box damage (no internal damage).
Works exactly as expected - maybe a little too cool at mid dial, but easy to adjust (could use a simple temperature measurement or thermometer?).Shelf design could be better - getting the rated number of bottle in require a lot of pushing and balancing of bottles.Blue internal light is a nice touch.Good solution at a reasonable price - avoid the thermo-electric fridges (Peltier device) as failures WILL end up heating your bottles and destroying your wines.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Curtis FRW656 46-Bottle Wine Cooler

Product Description:
Curtis 46 Bottle Wine Cooler, Chrome Trim door and Shelf, Lock, Blue Interior Light, Flush Back Design, Low Energy Consumption

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Review of Metrokane Classic Rabbit Lever-Style Corkscrew; Foil Cutter,Pourer Stopper, Pink

Who knew getting a cork out could be so easy. It did take me a few minutes to figure out how to work it - the instructions weren't that clear. But after getting the hang of it, I absolutely love it. And the pink color is very chic.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Metrokane Classic Rabbit Lever-Style Corkscrew; Foil Cutter,Pourer Stopper, Pink

Product Description:
This Classic Rabbit™corkscrew is now offered in pink to help support the fight against breast cancer.It has all the same qualities of the Classic Rabbit™.It pulls the cork in 3 seconds, automatically releases the cork, it has a user friendly design and opens any wine bottle.All gear teeth are made with hardened metal and it's tested for 20,000 cork pulls.10 year warranty. Replace the spiral worm after 800-1000 pulls.

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Review of Fizz Whiz Beer/Wine/Soda Bottle Caps/Stoppers "The Only Cap In The World That Really Seals"

These little gizmos really work.I forget when they appeared on the scene. Sometime in the early 1970's?Prior to that, you had a thumb operated rubber plunger kind of deal with metal side grips ... all of which worked.But when these puppies showed up everyone said 'wow'.

Here's the thing.I only really needed one or two of them.The package included about 8 of them!I figure my great grandchildren will wear all of them out sometime in 2525.:-)

In other words, this is a good deal.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Fizz Whiz Beer/Wine/Soda Bottle Caps/Stoppers "The Only Cap In The World That Really Seals"



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5/23/2010

Review of Oenophilia Ultimate OenoPull Wine Opener with Foil Cutter

The best wine opener ever!Requires no effort when opening even tough to open bottles.The stand is a bonus and the foil cutter is fantastic.I have been using mine for about 4 years and have yet to replace the corkscrew.I just recently bought one for my sister and she is also smitten.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Oenophilia Ultimate OenoPull Wine Opener with Foil Cutter

Product Description:
Open your favorite bottle of vino with ease using this Oenophilia Ultimate OenoPull. This sturdy and dependable all-metal lever model corkscrew comes with a matching Circa six-wheel foilcutter, a brushed satin metal stand, plus an extra worm.Gift boxed.

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Review of Metrokane Zippity Rabbit Polished "Sterling Model"-Black EVA Case

From a design standpoint, this is a very good product.But the documentation is pathetic, and was clearly never tested with new / real users.There is no explanation of how it's supposed to work.That understanding is very helpful:with it, you'll never have trouble, and will marvel at the clever design.Let's get started.

Have a bottle of wine handy on which you've already used the supplied (and very good) little foil cutter to remove the foil over the cork.

Take the unit in your hand and look at the movable parts.The overhead lever that swings outward / downward and then is reversed / brought back over the top - moves the spiral corkscrew up and down.To see this, operate the overhead lever with one hand while holding the clamping "side handles" with the other.When you move the overhead handle the corkscrew rotates.

Why is the corkscrew turning?Because it's forced to do that as it goes through a "guide" (the metal collar with gray plastic center).The gray plastic piece has an internal spiral track that forces the corkscrew to rotate as it passes through.

Here's the critical point:as long as the guide mechanism is locked in place and can't move up or down, the guide forces the corkscrew to rotate when going through.

What if this guide were locked in place on the `down-stroke,' but could move vertically on the `up-stroke'?Then the guide would force the corkscrew to rotate on the way down (so the corkscrew would penetrate the cork), but the guide would stay attached to (and _not_ rotate) the corkscrew on the way up - thus pulling the cork.

When the unit is operated correctly this is exactly what happens.But how?

Look more closely:Before using the Rabbit's `side-handles' to hold the wine bottle neck, the guide is locked in place by two protruding spring-loaded latches and can't move vertically.Try it:it won't budge.(You can actually see these small latches projecting over the top of the guide and keeping it from moving - by looking in the area above and to the far rear of the guide, near the smooth rod.)

On the other hand, when the clamping handles are squeezed onto the neck of a bottle, these latches above the guide _retract_, releasing their hold on the guide so it can move upward.

Do this now:Take your bottle of wine and, with the overhead lever rotated to its fully outward / downward position, place the guide directly over the cork and grip the neck of the bottle _firmly_ with the clamping side handles.

Look at the latches described above:they have retracted, and no longer restrain the guide from moving upward.This has no effect during the down-stroke / cork penetration phase, since the guide is already as low as it can go.Because the guide can't move, it forces the corkscrew to rotate when you operate the overhead lever - thus penetrating the cork.Perform this down-stroke.

Now watch what happens when the overhead lever is pulled back to withdraw the cork (while you at the same time continue to grip the bottle neck firmly with the side levers).Because the guide can now move vertically with the corkscrew, it imposes no rotation on the corkscrew.The corkscrew stays inside the cork as the overhead lever is moved outward / downward, and the cork is extracted.Do it.You now have the cork out of the bottle, suspended above the bottle neck, and are still gripping the side handles around the bottle neck.

Release your hold on the side handles and move the Rabbit away from the bottle.The cork is still attached to the corkscrew.Re-grip the side handles with one hand and once again operate the overhead lever, bringing it all the way back to its fully closed position again (as if you were on the original down-stroke into the cork).

As you get to the very end of the stroke, you will feel resistance and will hear a click:the latches have snapped back into place over the top of the guide, locking it in place.The guide is once again `captured' - and cannot move vertically.The cork is still attached to the corkscrew.

Finally, move the overhead lever back yet again to its fully open position (as if pulling the cork from the bottle).This time the latches _don't_ retract (because you're not using the side handles to grip the bottle neck) - so the latches again keep the guide from moving, and this forces the corkscrew to rotate `in reverse' as it passes upward through the guide.The corkscrew backs out of the cork and the cork drops off.It takes all of a few seconds once you get the hang of it.

Understanding the operating principles should help.None of this is well explained (or, indeed, explained at all) in the almost non-existent documentation.

Steve Ferris

Click Here to see more reviews about: Metrokane Zippity Rabbit Polished "Sterling Model"-Black EVA Case

Product Description:
A zippered Black EVA case is the new home of Sterling Edition Rabbit.The secure zippered case features a polycarbonate window.The set includes a "Sterling Edition" die-cast metal rabbit in brilliant chrome, chrome foil cutter and extra spiral.There is a 10 yr warranty on the Rabbit corkscrew.

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Review of Avanti : WC681BG 24in Freestanding Wine Cooler/Refrigerator

The wine cooler does take a number of times to clean before the chemical smell finally goes, but seems to be a well constructed unit for the price. My only real issue is the spacing of the draws and the fact each draw only holds 11 bottles, 12 would have been nice. The spacing becomes a problem if you have wine from different wineries that use non-standard bottle sizes.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Avanti : WC681BG 24in Freestanding Wine Cooler/Refrigerator

Product Description:
Slide-out shelves for easy wine bottle presentation Digital thermostat and display for accurate temperature control Beautiful black cabinet compliments the tinted double-paned glass Security lock Includes an interior light for easy viewing of your wine collection Front venting exhaust feature allows use either built-in or freestanding 81BG Holds 166 Wine Bottles

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Review of Wine Cabinet

We received this unit with two lower shelves instead of one middle and one lower one.
The drawings on the assembly instructions are not very clear. They manual comes with a form to request, via mail only, any missing part for free but there is no telephone number to contact the manufacturer at all.
Based on our experience, we don't recommend buying this product because of the poor customer support and lack of Quality Control.
The unit is nice and we still like it. We are just waiting for the missing shelf.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Wine Cabinet

Product Description:
Walnut Finish Wine Cabinet with Drawer & Glass Holder
  • Dimension: 26.6"W 15.7"D 40.4"H
  • Finish:Walnut
  • Material: Beech Wood
  • With room for 20 bottles, wine glasses, and a drawer for accessories, the Regalia Wine Cabinet holds everything necessary for preparing and enjoying a glass of wine.
  • Assembly required.


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Review of Wine Innovations, US010, Additional Bottle Adaptor for ReServe Wine Preservation System

ReServe is easy to use, easy to clean and best of all, it keeps my wines tasting perfect for up to 2 weeks (I finish my bottles within 2 weeks; it can probably protect a bottle for longer than 2 weeks). I drink mostly CA cabs and pinots. And I have 3 adaptors so that I can have up to 3 wines open at any one time and simply enjoy whichever wine I want a glass at a time.

The wines maintain their fruit and complexity and remain tannic. Even the last glass needs to breathe for a few minutes before the fruit present themselves!

Great product!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Wine Innovations, US010, Additional Bottle Adaptor for ReServe Wine Preservation System

Product Description:
For use with ReServe Wine Preservation System. Additional adaptors can be used to protect additional bottles of wine at the same time. Designed to fit wine industry standard bottles. Adaptors for Ports and Champagnes available separately.Easy maintenance - rinse and rack dry or put on top rack of dishwasher.

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5/22/2010

Review of Wine Aerator Table Stand

We have a Vinturi Wine Aerator.My husband thought it would be a good idea to have a stand (which we don't leave out on the counter).While it's convenient to use the stand to hold the Vinturi -- it's not necessary.Most times we don't even get the stand out -- we just hold the Vinturi when pouring the wine.So this is a nice to have but not a necessity. The stand construction is good -- but nothing you'd leave out on the countertop.I do recommend the Vinturi (Amazon's pricing is terrific on the Vinturi) -- the stand is just a nice feature.

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Product Description:
With the Wine Aerator Table Stand, you've got a simple, hands-free platform for pouring wine through the Decantus or Vinturi wine aerators. A protective plastic tubing at the top prevents scratching of the aerators.Wine Aerators are sold separately.Size: 13"H x 6-1/4"W

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