Yvonne Lorkin: Gadgets for vino lovers

The Sonic Decanter

I thought I'd always had issues with procrastination, but last week I got a puppy and now I don't "think" I have "issues", I am most definitely "convinced" I have "problems".

I can't peel my eyes away from Georgie, the 8-week-old german shepherd, for a second. This is not just because she's the most distractingly adorable thing to watch, but mainly it's because it's like having an actual, real baby again, except much worse.

This one happens to be crawling, and walking and toilet training and terrorising the cat simultaneously - but she's still too small to chuck outside in her kennel overnight (not that I ever left my human babies outside in a kennel overnight however tempted I was).

I blame working from home. This animal has added to the list of things that've taken priority over actually knuckling down and writing this column. Things like cleaning the toilet (in case someone comes around and needs to use it). Filing my nails (in case someone comes around and sees them). Watering the garden (in case someone drives past and thinks my plants look unloved). Moving the cat (because it's not good feng shui if it keeps sleeping in the northeast corner of the room) and watching Jeremy Kyle on TV.

This is important because I need to be able to regale my children with tragic stories about how there are horrible parents out there and they should be grateful they've got me for a mum and not some toothless, crack-addled nut job from Norwich, "now go and empty the dishwasher like I asked".

Yet despite all this sidetrackery, I have found time to seek out some groovy gift ideas for the wine-inclined as well as some delicious drinks which, believe me; are capable of distracting even the most disciplined among you ...

Unbroken Travel

Sick of finding your suitcase soaked through from that broken bottle you'd stashed away, "safely" wrapped up in a sock and a various assortment of your "smalls"? Well fret no more because a "virtually indestructible" suitcase has hit the market which helps wine lovers bring their beloved bottles home intact. Named the "VinGardeValise" and costing about $300, it's a rolling hard-shell suitcase lined with high-density, temperature-regulating foam that protects bottles while in transit.

Plus it weighs only around 20kg when packed with a dozen 750ml bottles, making it under the limit for a checked bag with loads of airlines. You don't even need to fill it with wine, just take out a couple of the foam inserts and you've got space for clothes and other whatsits.

The foam cavities are designed to hold an array of different bottle shapes including Champagne and tall, skinny riesling bottles. Visit www.vingardevalise.com or www.amazon.com to buy.

Premature Ageing

Don't you just hate it when a wine reviewer like me says "it'll taste amazing in a couple of years" but you just don't have the patience to wait that long? Now, if the Seattle-based company behind the "Sonic Decanter" raises enough funds on Kickstarter, your prayers could be answered in minutes!

The Sonic Decanter is a new invention claiming to accelerate the ageing process using patented technology, which reportedly transforms the molecular structure of the wine by exposing it to high-frequency sound waves.

These waves encourage the wine's molecules to interact with each other at a faster rate than normal, consequently producing an "aged-tasting" wine in minutes. But wait, there's more. Apparently the Sonic Decanter not only improves the taste of any wine, it can also freshen-up a previously opened bottle.

"When used on wine, the Sonic Decanter promotes further extraction of flavours, aromas and mouthfeel from interactions among phenolics and anthocyanins, which results in smoother more integrated mouthfeel and a smooth, flavourful, lingering finish," the company behind the invention writes.

SIPS OF THE WEEK

Burn Cottage Central Otago Pinot Noir 2012, $54

The thing I love about this wine is the subtle liquorice and cherry cola note on the nose and the sweet, dark cocoa and spicy rhubarb and black tea flavours on the palate. With beautifully balanced acidity and powdery tannins, it's an elegant, smoothly structured wine. burncottage.com

Couper's Shed Hawke's Bay Syrah 2013, $20

That this stonkingly good syrah is under $30 is something that I find quite flummoxing. Prepare yourself for a big wine which, despite drinking beautifully now, will be an absolute honker after a few years in the cellar. With its impenetrably dark colour, violet, pepper and dark berry bouquet, dried herb, cocoa and black fruited complexity on the palate and superb persistence of flavour - it's one to watch.
glengarrywines.co.nz

Villa Maria Reserve Clifford Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2013, $25

Soft elderflower, lemon verbena and lime aromas sneak ahead of a crisp, mineral-textured wine with a fresh citrus and passionfruit burst on the taste buds. It's full of flavour without being heavy handed. glengarrywines.co.nz

Brightwater Vineyards 'Lord Rutherford' Barrique Chardonnay, $40

For lovers of old-school, ripe, rumpty chardonnay that oozes toasty, bacony oak, boatloads of grilled peach and grapefruit and buxom butterscotch characters, this cracker from Nelson has got your name all over it.

It's generously fruity, has a hint of smoke and a perfectly sewn seam of acidity which elongates its deliciousness and leaves you wanting more.
brightwaterwine.co.nz

Mac's Green Beret IPA

So you'll have to head into a watering hole in town somewhere in order to savour this snazzy new beer from Mac's because it's on tap only at this stage.

I really like the rich, resinous and grapefruit laden aromatics, the well-balanced malts and the clean, herbaceous bitterness on the finish. Yum!