Drop, charge, and lose the cords
While there are some fancy wine bottles out there, decanting your wine into the right carafe can make a statement. The Rocking Carafe, made by Sagaform, definitely falls into that category: it's a hand-blown glass carafe that can rock back and forth while you appreciate you wine. As long as the carafe is set on its accompanying silicone stand, it won't tip over or roll away. There's a reason behind the style incorporating a unique, rounded base, rather than a flat base, though. The large base allows for maximum wine oxygenation, while the neck is designed to make pouring wine simple.
The Rocking Carafe can hold up to three wine bottles' worth of wine (more than half a gallon), making it a good option for a dinner with several friends or another get together. It doesn't hurt that the movement of the Rocking Carafe can make for an interesting discussion. Luckily, this carafe isn't so different from a Weeble Wobble: it will wobble, but it won't fall over. Your guests can safely pour their own drinks. The Rocking Carafe is available for around $35. It is available in a gift box and can make for a good present for a wine aficionado.
Chilled and ready.
(Credit: Sur La Table)I really like freezers. Not only do they change water into ice, but they also store food, allowing us to keep a pork roast on hand for weeks longer than we otherwise could. Anything that can stop food from going bad is going to get a vote of approval from me. Not only can we put stuff in it to keep it cool, but we can also take things out to chill other items. Of course, I'm talking about things like ice cubes and ice packs, but there is one particular item that I find interesting today.
The Glass Chiller Carafe features a removable base that is meant to be stored in the freezer. When you decide to serve white wine, sangria, or another chilled beverage, simply take the base out of the freezer and place the filled carafe on top. there is no need to worry about chilling the wine beforehand or diluting your beverage with melting ice. The convenience of the frozen disc means that you can always be ready to serve a chilled beverage.
The carafe is dishwasher-safe, and also comes with a stainless-steel spout. It holds one liter of liquid and also can be used without the base for red wine or other nonchilled drinks. Depending on the starting temperature of the beverage along with the ambient temperature, the carafe can keep drinks chilled for up to four hours.
Grind and brew automatically.
(Credit: Cuisinart)I'm on a coffee kick. Of course, that's not saying much as I am usually on a coffee kick, and have been for a very long time. I, like many others, watched the country as people were introduced to what good coffee was. No longer did we have to suffer the mugs of cheap, flavorless corner store brew. Suddenly, there were half-decent options everywhere. Luckily, not only did coffee improve, but also coffee making. So in addition to being treated to more delicious options, there are also better ways to make coffee--and more specifically, keep it warm.
The Cuisinart Grind & Brew Thermal 10-Cup Automatic Coffeemaker follows in this tradition by using a thermal carafe to keep coffee at the ready. One thing we all know is that immediate access to coffee is a good thing. Otherwise nobody would have bothered ever inventing instant. The double-wall insulated, brushed-metal thermal carafe included in this coffeemaker keeps 10 cups of coffee warm for hours. No longer must coffee lovers see their beloved brew decimated by leaving it on the burner for too long.
Not only does this coffee maker improve on coffee-in-waiting, but it also streamlines the process for actual coffee making. The automatic coffee maker incorporates a timer and grinding options. Complete with a gold tone commercial-style permanent filter, a 24-hour timer, and an integrated charcoal filter, the Grind & Brew Coffeemaker brings quality coffee in-line with instant gratification. The best part is, no fumbling with the coffeemaker early in the morning. Freshly ground brewed coffee waiting for you when you wake up--and if you oversleep, it will still taste just as good.
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