wines

Spirits are encountering considerable growth, as well, with tequila, cognac and vodka sales all increasing in the US. Vodka is currently the most consumed spirit in the US, but is expected to eventually account for more than 25% of all spirits consumed. Worldwide, spirit consumption is increasing by roughly 1.3% per year, with drops only in gin, while whisky, rum and tequila are taking off in many other countries.

Decanters that come with matching stands are almost always beautiful pieces that make good stand-ins for traditional, but impractical, centerpieces at the dinner table. A decanter like this one, the Amphora Decanter, is both beautiful and useful. It is made in Italy of mouth-blown crystal and is based on a very old design that, for centuries, was believed to be one of the best for oxidation. It can also be used to serve other liqueurs, should you choose to use it to serve brandy or some other warming drink over the holidays, making use of the visual effect of the decanter, if not its oxidation abilities. Price: $130.

While some want to limit their choices to one type of wine, and others don't pay too much attention to the pairings beyond whether they like the wine or not, picking the wine to accompany a holiday meal can make or break the dinner for others. Red and whites both go with roast turkeys and either is a fine choice for Thanksgiving. Reds work better with hearty beef dishes. Forbes has come up with a few suggestions for the best wines to serve at a holiday dinner, which include: Beaune, Clos de Mouches, Premier Cru, Domaines Joseph Drouhin 2003 ($80); Guidalberto 2003 ($50); Rodney Strong Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 ($41); Hugel Gewurztraminer Jubilee 2003 ($41); Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noir ($20); and Champagne Alfred Gratien Brut Millesime 1997 ($99).

One of their other excellent suggestions is to serve the good wine first, before all the "holiday cheer" has gone to people's heads, and keep the selection simpler for larger groups.

Most wine openers seem to work in about the same way as long as you're buying one of the highly-rated lever models. But the black and silver Screwpull from Le Creuset just doesn't stand out anymore, since the design is so popular. Instead, try using an opener like the Rogar Bronze Cork Pull, is surprisingly lightweight with an antiqued bronze finish. Its design is based on one from the 1890s and is richly engraved with depictions of vines and grapes on the sides. It measures 10 x 8.25 x 8.25-in. Price: $120.

When dining at a high-end restaurant, you expect to receive a presentation of the wine from the sommelier. It adds something to the dining experience and is almost like a small show, enjoyable even if it is not intended as entertainment. You would not expect a decanter to be able to perform such a show on its own, but clearly that is exactly what the designers of the Rojaus Grapevine Decanter intended to do. When the wine is poured into it, it flows fountain-like over a glass bubble, which allows the wine to open up and breathe. The wine can then be dispensed to individual guests as they feel like refilling their glasses. If you chill the bubble by keeping it in the freezer for several hours before used, your wines will be slightly chilled as you serve them. Price: $248.

Rather than using a vase full of flowers to decorate your table, you can turn your wine service into your centerpiece with the Ercuis Wine Decanting Machine. The beautiful gadget looks like a relic from a different area, one which would have been proudly displayed to all guests. It is made of silver-plated steel with a black wooden base. Price: $270.

This cabinet is definitely a must-have for a wine lover. Wine barrels are often discarded after a few years of use, but this one was reworked into a great cabinet/end table. The barrel stands just over three feet high and has a door that opens to one side, revealing an inner storage shelf and plenty of space for just about anything that needs storing. On top of the white oak barrel is a removable maple serving tray, so the barrel can be used as a serving station at a party, as well as as a simple storage device. Price: $850.

Don't turn to Trader Joe's for a bottle of Two-Buck Chuck if you're looking for a good price on wine. The Wall Street Journal (subscription) reports that more and more wine lovers are heading to auction houses like Christie's to shop - not for the ultra-expensive or rare bottles of wine, but for bargains. Many lots of good, ready-to-drink wines, perhaps "from overzealous collectors, who bought more than they [could] drink," sell for well under $100 per bottle.

When people consign their collections to the auction block, they almost always have several lower-ticket items in addition to the really expensive bottles of Chateau Petrus that the auction houses take one either because they must, or because they're hoping to attract new bidders. Whatever their reason for offering the wines, the budget bottles are a boon to wine fans who find cases of their favorite vintages for less than retail. The self-described "bottom feeders" say that it just takes a little research on the catalogue listings to sniff out the best deals, but to come home with some good wines at even better prices, it is worth the effort.

The young RN Estate Vineyard & Winery was established in only 2001, but has already gotten off to an auspicious start. It was founded by restaurateur Roger Nicolas, who runs the 40-acre California cost vineyard almost single-handedly. Though the first vintage was released only last year, the red wines RN produces have already garnered several tasting awards and are carried in restaurants like Ortolan (Los Angeles) and La Suite (San Francisco). Tastings and tours are available at the facility, but the wines sell out quickly because only 800-1000 cases are produced each year.