Wine and shopping. Could life get any better? Well, perhaps with some of these spirited accessories that help keep your day from getting corked.
Best cellars
Sure, a plywood wine rack from Target can do the job, but why not class up your cabernets with a custom-designed wine cellar. Or if space is tight, opt for handcrafted wine racks or cabinets.
PRICES VARY. WINE CELLARS & STORAGE OF COLORADO, PARKER
Give a hoot
You hear about vineyards with resident cats, but resident owls? Night Owl wines are produced at a Monterey, Calif., vineyard that has more than 100 specially designed owl-nesting boxes high above the vines. It’s part of San Bernabe Vineyard’s sustainable farming practices; owls eat the pests that damage young vines. $11.99-$13.99. KEG LIQUORS IN DENVER, LIQUOR MART IN BOULDER
Vine therapy
Wine may be nectar for the soul, but these products are food for the skin. Leroux Creek Spa’s all-natural face creams, lotions and scrubs are made from grapeseed oil and antioxidant-infused chamboursin red wine produced at the Leroux Creek Vineyards in Hotchkiss. $5.50-34. WWW.LEROUXCREEKINN.COM
What a haul
Nothing can spoil a romantic trail-side meal quicker than discovering a broken bottle of chardonnay mixed into your brie. Keep everything organized in a wine backpack that features a wine bottle sleeve, bottle opener and stopper, picnic service for two and a cheese board. $75. VINEYARD WINE SHOP, DENVER
Get schooled
Do you ask the vintage of wine in a box? Expand your knowledge of everything from port to pinot with wine-tasting classes led by sommelier Susie Mayr. You can design your own class or sign up for Mayr’s seminars through Denver’s City Wine: “Great Wine Values of the World” in November and “Champagne” in December.
$40-$150. SUSIEWINEED@YAHOO.COM
