You're new enough to this fine wine lark - but hey, how hard can it be? For a few months now you've been picking up the odd bottle here and there, using the three golden rules to guide you - the wine must be old, French and very expensive.
Like that 1970 Chateau Margaux you snapped up for £250 - that's going to taste really good tonight when your new boss comes around for dinner.
If you can find it. By half-past seven you've trashed half the house looking for it, in vain. But your eldest child remembers: the maid put a bottle of something in the hot press to keep it safe. Excellent - but you better throw it in the freezer for a bit, just to take the warmth off it.
One hour later the guests have arrived and the foie gras is on the table.
With a flourish you show them the label, pull the cork and fill the glasses.
But instead of murmuring gratefully about there being "a hint of blackberry ", your boss has hit the deck, screaming and clutching his throat.
Why didn't you buy the Euro Cave? The standard model will hold around 200 bottles of wine, and keep them at the perfect temperature and humidity, indefinitely. It's like having your own cellar, except that you can leave it in the corner of a room, or outside in the garage.
The EuroCave, costs from £1,000 (€1,270) and is available from Cellars & Accessories Ltd, Dublin, tel: 012959030, e-mail jtaylor@cellars.ie
Sean Mac Carthaigh Got a gizmo idea? smaccarthaigh@irish-times.ie
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