The Bacchus Babes

If you’re enjoying wine at home several times a week, you’re probably developing quite the collection of corks. If you’re like us…possibly enough to recreate a cork tree in your front yard. Rather than throw them away, find something creative to do with them!

Need inspiration? Try wine supply websites! They specialize in developing ways to get you back to their site again and again (aka…spend money). You can also peruse craft stores like Joann Fabrics, Michaels and ACMoore’s.

Here are some ideas:

Message boards, “wall paper” or chair rails, pictures for your bar/wine cellar, serving trays, chess sets, wreaths, coasters and even costume jewelry! Elise’s mom uses them in decorative candle vases as a part of a seasonal rotation.

We wonder if this is actually comfortable??

If you want to go the Eco-Friendly route (or if cork just doesn’t mesh with your current decorating style), check out the blog “2Modern Design Talk”. There is a company in Missouri that will recycle them for you! You can also visit their website to get the details. They’ve had around 1200 contributors so far to their cause. Pass the information on to your local wineries, they are an excellent candidate for cork recycling!

After awhile, going to the movies or to a restaurant just doesn’t hold the same excitement factor for “going out”. You want to be spontaneous, but are hesitant to take full control of your event schedule. Start with what you like. You like wine? So do we! Maybe you’re a connoisseur, or are still wading in the kiddie pool, but regardless of your commitment level, everyone needs an “in”. By “in”, we mean “in”formant.

If you’re hankering for some wine related activity, hit up this Virtual Vino Database. No matter where you reside (or where you visit), the Local Wine Events website has a listing of wine events happening in your area. It’s easy to navigate, and you can even make reservations or contact the host from the site. Think of it as your personal assistant for fun, and watch your calendar fill itself.

If you own a wine related establishment and want to increase your online presence, it is easy to add your event to the calendar as well. If you post it, they will come!

Everyone has their favorite wine opener. The tried and true corking companion that effortlessly unlocks the gates to your oenological enjoyment. However, tragedy can strike at any time. You choose a bottle that you’ve been cellaring for a special occasion. The cork is old, and you carefully try to pull it out, but to no avail. It breaks, and you are left with half a cork wedged in the bottom of the bottle’s neck. Now what? Well, the bar has been raised. Wine gadget developers decided to take the commercial grade electric opener and put it in the palm of your hand! It looks like a battery operated pepper grinder, but the results are much more exciting. Its claim to fame is that it can remove both natural and synthetic corks from all types of bottles, faster and easier than manual openers.

There are several models available that range from the low $20’s to the mid $100’s…so no matter what pay grade you’re in, if you love “toys”, there is an affordable option. The question now stands…has anyone bought one?? We would love to hear your impressions! 

If you’re intrigued, do your research beforehand and read online reviews. The best way to decide if a product is for you is reading feedback from previous buyers! Either way, we would recommend you keep your other openers on hand just in case…