ESSENTIAL GEAR FOR
Wine Travel
By Chris Dobrogosz
A wine-tasting trip presents the opportunity to experience several of the best aspects of any vacation , all crushed up and mixed into one smooth , intoxicating blend . Whether you ’ re traversing Italy , California or anywhere that grapevines grow , you can reasonably anticipate certain things on a wine trip — fresh air , warm sun , and , of course , many glasses ( or bottles ) of wine . But to really make the most of your vacation , here are a few essential items for the savvy traveler .
Wine Luggage It would be tragic to find the wine of your dreams only to realize that you have no means of transporting a bottle or two home with you . Luckily , this can be avoided with one of these FAA-compliant wine suitcases . $ 375 iwawine . com
Wine Tasting Pocket Journal Even a casual wine connoisseur knows that not all wines are alike . Some prefer the robust and tannin-heavy reds , while others choose to lounge with a crisp , clear glass of sauvignon blanc . Whatever your preference , this handy wine journal is an easy way to keep track of your favorites . $ 14 iwawine . com
Binoculars A wine-tasting trip is about more than just the beverage itself . It ’ s an opportunity to spend time in some of the most scenic countryside anywhere in the world . To get a better view , a pair of durable and compact binoculars can go a long way . $ 59 amazon . com
Thermos A getaway centered on wine can quickly turn from joy to misery if travelers aren ’ t careful to drink responsibly and stay hydrated . Make sure you have enough water on hand with a strong , stylish thermos like this Hydro Flask . $ 39.95 hydroflask . com
TSA-Compliant Bottle Opener Don ’ t be the unfortunate vacationer who gets back to your hotel room with a premium bottle of wine only to realize that you don ’ t have any way to get it open . This convenient , TSA-compliant corkscrew bottle opener will help you avoid any such troubles . $ 11 amazon . com
Label Remover Want to save the label on your favorite wine bottle without destroying it ? Or , maybe labels just annoy you . It ’ s your beverage , enjoy it as you like and spare your fingernails with a handy label remover . $ 25 amazon . com
40 · ESCAPE Spring 2024