Innovations in the world of wine happen constantly and while some improve the quality and affordability of wine, others are intended to aid the economics and functionality of the industry. Both are reasonable and expected but at times they have unintended consequences for wine consumers.

As winemakers and wineries have become more concerned about cork taint as well as the flavors introduced to wines that see no oak barreling by the addition of oak corks alternative closures for the bottle have been sought out. While twist caps have filled much of that need synthetic or plastic corks are used as well. We could have a long discussion about the change in ambience from these synthetics; there is a more immediate concern that has been brought to our attention many times over recent months.

For those of us with limited dexterity there are a host of automated wine openers that make the exercise of getting the cork, synthetic or otherwise, out of the bottle easier. Battery operated electric openers are one alternative that drill the worm into the cork when the switch is pushed. "Cork Pops" pumps compressed CO2 into the bottle through a long needle that is stuck through the cork increasing the pressure and pushing the cork out of the bottle. The "rabbit" style opener is another choice that in one motion drills the worm into the cork and then pulls it out when the motion is reversed. All of these devices have one thing in common. According to both customers and the manufacturers they do not work on plastic corks!

Anyone who has attempted to remove a plastic cork with a conventional corkscrew knows they are very sticky. So when an electric corkscrew is used they will many times split the plastic bell and casing on the battery operated variety. With "Cork Pops" we have heard stories of the bottle shattering as the pressure increases and the cork will not budge. With the "rabbit" style the gears strip on the opener so the worm no longer removes the cork it just spins back out. When we have contacted the manufacturers they have all admitted the problem, have no solution and recommend these automated openers not be used on synthetic corks.

For those with limited dexterity we recommend using a bell style opener, they are made of metal which is more durable and better able to deal with the stickiness issue. These openers have a bell or collar that comes to rest on the bottle neck as the worm is twisted into the cork and forces the cork up and out of the bottle as you continue turning. It keeps the pressure equalized around the entire neck of the bottle therefore not damaging the neck.

More and more folks are using stemless wine glasses, whether they are Riedels or the very popular "Go Vino" polycarbonate stemless, folks are using them especially outdoors or when hosting large groups. With their low center of gravity and lack of stems they tend to roll when bumped and therefore even the crystal ones break less. When entertaining large groups though there is no way to use a stem tag to identify your glass, that is until now.

We recently discovered and now have in the shop the wine glass tags from "Going Stemless." These magnetic identifiers will work with any glass, crystal, polycarbonate, stemmed or without stem and even work on cocktail and beer glasses. The magnet is incredibly strong and keeps the charm identifying your glass attached by holding it in place with the magnet on the inside of the glass and the charm on the outside. By placing the charm on the opposite side of the glass from which you drink it does not interfere with your wine or other beverage and is easily removed to clean the glass. They come in a variety of colors and styles that are quite attractive and meet most any taste.

By no means a new innovation but one we have sold countless of over the years our shop has been open is the no drip pourer stopper. This unbranded marvel is an attractive way to prevent the linen staining drip of red wine that runs down the side of the bottle. The stopper portion on this irreplaceable wine gadget is decorated with a colored crystal and of all the devices designed to prevent dripping this one is flat out the best we have used.

For all wine consumers items like these are great ways to enhance the overall wine experience, and equipped with this knowledge it helps all of us understand when some of our previous favorites will no longer work the way they did previously.

If there is a topic you would like to read about or questions on wine you can email George@thedinnerpartyshop.com or make suggestions by contacting the Healthy Community section at the Coeur d'Alene Press.

George Balling is co-owner with his wife Mary Lancaster of the dinner party - a wine and table top decor shop in Coeur d'Alene by Costco. George is also the managing judge of The North Idaho Wine Rodeo and is the wine editor for Coeur d'Alene Magazine www.cdamagazine.com. You can learn more about the dinner party at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com. You can get all of these articles as well as other great wine tips by friending us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/dinnerpartyshop.