Four. An opener that works, a stopper that seals, glasses with a stem, and something that keeps the bottle at the right temperature. That covers virtually everything that happens with wine at home. The rest — decanters, aerators, thermometers, wine cabinets — is for the properly interested, and usually ends up in a drawer after the third use.
Last updated 4 September 2026 · Written by the Lindner & Co editorial team
The four you genuinely need
Prices checked 4 September 2026.
| Accessory | Why | UK price range | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opener | Without it you are not getting in | £10–40 | Lindner & Co wine opener, £19.99 |
| Airtight stopper | The rest of the bottle lasts 3–5 days instead of 1 | £5–20 | Vacu Vin blister pack, £13.50 (Wineware) |
| Stemmed glasses | Your hand does not warm the wine | £8–30 each | Varies by brand |
| Something for temperature | The bottle goes warm in 20 minutes | £15–30 | Lindner & Co chiller stick, £29.99 |
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Have those four and you are covered for everyday wine, guests, and a bottle with dinner.
What you do not need
A decanter. Useful on young, powerful reds and on old wine with sediment. That is maybe one bottle in twenty.
A wine thermometer. You need to know the temperature once, not every time. After that you can tell 8°C from 14°C by hand.
An electric corkscrew. Fun, but it does nothing a decent manual opener does not.
A wine cabinet. Only if you are ageing wine over years. For bottles drunk within a couple of months a cool cupboard is fine — we have been through where wine should sit at home.
An aerator. Noticeable on young powerful red, barely noticeable on anything else.
Why temperature is the one everybody misses
Most people own an opener, a stopper and glasses. Almost nobody owns anything that holds the bottle at the right temperature once it is open.
It shows, because a bottle rises about two degrees every ten minutes at room temperature. A white taken straight from the fridge is out of range after twenty minutes on the table — halfway through the meal. The full temperature table is here.
An ice bucket solves it but needs ice, water and space — from £9.50 for plastic up to £49.95 for steel at Wineware. A chiller stick solves it inside the bottle, with none of those.
The order to buy in
- Opener — nothing happens without it.
- Stopper — the cheapest fix for the most expensive problem, which is wine poured down the sink.
- Temperature — what you notice most in everyday drinking.
- Glasses — important, but most people already have something workable.
Buying the lot at once runs to roughly £70–120 in the UK for decent quality.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a decanter for everyday wine?
No. Decanting shows on young powerful reds and older wines with sediment. For everyday bottles it does little.
Are expensive wine glasses worth it?
Shape matters more than price. A stem and a bowl that gathers the aroma do more than thin crystal.
What is most important if I only buy one thing?
An airtight stopper, if you often pour leftovers away. Otherwise something that holds temperature, because it shows every time.
Do I need a wine thermometer?
Once, to learn the difference. After that most people manage without.
Are an aerator and a decanter the same thing?
No. A decanter is a jug you pour the wine into. An aerator sits on the bottle and aerates as you pour. Similar effect, smaller scale.
What does the basic kit cost in total?
Roughly £70–120 in the UK for an opener, a stopper, glasses and something that holds the temperature.