The wine condom
That opened bottle of wine that no longer fits in the fridge because the cork sticks out. Or the corkless, half-empty bottle you take home with you. And then it has to stand awkwardly upright the entire way. Sound familiar? That’s what the wine condom is for. Possibly the most fun and classiest protection ever.
The wine condom is not a condom that tastes like Chardonnay. It does look strikingly similar to the real thing: a rolled-up rubber sleeve – packaged in shiny, golden foil – that rolls smoothly down to prevent spills and leaks. But in this case, the object being covered is an opened bottle. Handy for storing or transporting leftover wine. No more leaks, or a cork that no longer fits. The makers promise a perfect fit and a watertight seal, thanks to the special ‘shrink-to-fit’ technology. What’s more, this condom can be used multiple times. Try getting that from the original.
Wine condom: safe at home and on the go
That little bit of leftover wine is often too delicious to throw away, or simply leave behind at a restaurant. But usually the cork has already disappeared by some miracle. Or it goes back into the neck with difficulty, meaning the whole thing no longer fits in the fridge door. And nothing is more annoying than a bottle wobbling around at a 45-degree angle as it roams through the fridge. The wine condom is ideal for moments like these: it seals even better than the original cork, and the bottle doesn’t become a millimetre taller. So it always fits.
Only with sparkling wine is the stopper less suitable. There’s a good chance that, after a while, the pressure from the bubbles will create a festive – but impractical – balloon on the bottle. And don’t expect the roll of rubber to extend the wine’s shelf life. The condom does seal the bottle tightly, but it cannot prevent wine from naturally lasting less long under the influence of oxygen.
Fits in every wallet
But either way, it’s simply a funny little thing. And the glowing reviews on Amazon (‘Best thing since sliced bread!’) promise a lot. It fits easily in any trouser pocket or wallet, so you’ll never have to leave home without protection again.
They are sold in packs of six or more. Stylishly held together in a beautiful box and individually packaged in a shiny, resealable sleeve. You can buy one here.
Image: Mark Woods & FireBox.com
Also read:
- These are the most underrated wines according to top sommeliers
- These are sommeliers’ favourite wines under ten euros
- The strangest drinks sommeliers have ever had
