Sommelier Matthew Kaner's On-the-Go Wine Essentials
VICESAs a nationally recognized sommelier, Matthew Kaner has traveled the world for wine so he knows exactly what every wine enthusiast needs on the go. In this curated list, he features his top essentials for enjoying wine while traveling without compromising any of the quality. Whether it's your honeymoon or you're going on a picnic with friends, each of these products makes it easy to enjoy your favorite wine with your favorite people wherever you are.
YETI Rambler 10 Oz. Wine Tumbler
With stainless steel construction, double-wall vacuum insulation, and a no-sweat design, the YETI Rambler Wine Tumbler will stay cool even on the hottest of days. Matthew loves bringing out his Yeti Wine Tumbler on pool days because he knows it can't break. It comes with a removable MagSlider lid that uses magnets power to keep your drink contained. "YETI is known as one of the best cooler brands out there and they use that same ingenuity to make this wine tumbler," Matthew says. This wine tumbler is dishwasher safe and is made with a Duracoat coating so the color won't crack, peel, or fade over time.
Picnic Time Colorado Cooler Backpack
Once you have the Picnic Time Colorado Cooler Backpack, you'll want to take it everywhere. With a sleek, modern exterior and a fully-insulated 20-can-capacity cooler section, it’s already a fantastic picnic cooler bag. It's light so you can be on the move for as long as you want while carrying all of your wine essentials and food. Matthew has owned a lot of cooler backpacks before but this is his go-to because it has the best design. It can carry a couple of bottles of wine and an entire picnic right inside. You can open the double-zippered front section to reveal a deluxe picnic set for 2, including two plates, two wine glasses, stainless steel silverware and waiter-style corkscrew, a salt and pepper shaker set, and two 100% cotton napkins. It's like a date night in one bag.
Rabbit 6-Piece Wine Tool Kit
Makes opening wine look like a breeze with the Rabbit 6-Piece Wine Tool Kit. It will make everything simple, compact, and easy to get into. This set not only includes the award-winning Rabbit Wine Opener, but you will also receive a Foil Cutter, Wine/Champagne Sealer, Wine Pourer/Stopper, Wax Whacker, and an Extra Replacement Worm. No matter where you are on your wine journey, the Rabbit Wine Tool Kit will make your wine and bar experience more enjoyable. You'll be able to open, serve, and preserve in style.
Toscana Wine Appetizer Plate
The Toscana Wine Appetizer Plate allows you to keep your wine glass in your hand while also holding your plate. It's a handheld cheese board/wine holder that lets you enjoy a snack, a drink, and a free hand, all at the same time! Matthew loves using his Toscana Wine plates at dinner parties because they allow him to engage more in conversation rather than worrying about where to put his plate or wine glass. They're made out of Acacia wood and have ridged edges to secure small bites. There's a side edge cut out to hold your wine glass securely. The small size of the plates makes it easy to pack them and take them on the go.
La Tienda Glass Porrón Wine Pitcher
No wine glass? No problem. You can fill up the La Tienda Glass Porrón Wine Pitcher with an entire bottle of wine and use it as a drinking vessel. Just pick up the porrón and tilt it so that a thin stream of wine pours directly into your mouth! It's one of Matthew's favorite ways to entertain guests. It takes some skill but you and your friends will have a blast trying to master the technique. Each porrón holds 1 liter, well over a bottle of wine. Porrones are famous throughout Spain although probably the design originated in Catalunia in place of wine skins. They were originally made from ceramic but now are fashioned from hand-blown recycled glass.