GETTING STARTED | WINE NOTES | SEARCH SITE | DISCUSSION FORUMS | 30 SECOND WINE ADVISOR | CONTACT US

Subscribe (free) to The 30 Second Wine Advisor and daily "Express" Read past issues of Wine Advisor Express

Wine Advisor Express: Corkscrews and security As a wine enthusiast and frequent traveler, I routinely carry a couple of corkscrews in my travel kit. You never know when you're going to encounter a bottle of wine that needs to be opened, and I figure it's better to be safe than sorry! But in the aftermath of last week's terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, it appears that "safe" has been redefined: According to news accounts about heightened airport security measures, the humble corkscrew is now considered a potential weapon for terrorists. A Florida senator recently got headlines when he succeeded in carrying a pocket knife, scissors, files and tweezers and a corkscrew onto an airliner without being questioned. A Northwest Airlines flight crew scolded security guards for allowing them to board with a pocket knife and a corkscrew. And an Associated Press photo in today's newspapers showed a pile of items confiscated from passengers at Boston's Logan Airport that included such dangerous items as manicure scissors, a dinner fork ... and a variety of corkscrews. Confiscation? That's a little strong. They'll have to fight me for my rosewood-handle French Laguiole. But I get the message: Next flight, I'll pack the thing in checked baggage, or more likely I won't bring it at all. There are effective ways to increase airline security. I'm not convinced that confiscating corkscrews is one of them. But the message to wine lovers is clear enough: Avoid hassles. For the duration, at least, leave your corkscrew home. Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund We are supporting, and urge you to support, the "Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund" established by the reputable importer Michael Skurnik Wines on behalf of the survivors of the restaurant workers killed in last week's World Trade Center disaster. You'll find more information, and our secure credit-card payment page for this fund, at http://www.wineloverspage.com/windows, along with postal address information for the Fund if you prefer to send a check. I hope you will give this effort your serious consideration. It is a worthy cause, and 100 percent of the proceeds will go directly to the families that need help. Administrivia This is Wine Advisor Express, daily edition of The 30 Second Wine Advisor, distributed Tuesdays through Fridays. For archives of previous articles, and to read more about wine, visit Wine Lovers' Page, http://www.wineloverspage.com. To subscribe, change your E-mail address, switch from daily to the weekly (Mondays only) distribution, or for any other administrative matters, E-mail wine@wineloverspage.com. In the unhappy event that you must leave us, please take a moment to let us know how we could have served you better. In all administrative communications, please be sure to include the exact E-mail address that you used when you subscribed, so we can find your record. Friday, Sept. 21, 2001 Copyright 2001 by Robin Garr. All rights reserved. Subscribe (free) to The 30 Second Wine Advisor