The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Tech Watch: Wine Chillers

College students tend to like their wine like they like their “Pokey Stix” — in a big-ass box (Franzia style). But for those classier folk who enjoy downing the liquid from a bottle — yet continually find themselves having to tailgate with a warm beverage — the electric wine chiller might just be a godsend.

The types of coolers are as varied as Perez Hilton’s hair color. Some are big, others are small, and prices range from a mere $20 (for the poor college student) to more than $100 (for the hard-core connoisseur).

With the variance in price comes different features. Take the expensive versions of the high-tech gadgets. The ‘Vinotemp,’ a product available for a mere $99, offers speedy cooling and warming settings, 10 possible temperatures levels, and a button to control the temperature for long periods of time (those connoisseurs enjoy sipping the bottle for hours, unlike the pregaming party-loving UI students who just want to glug and go).

For college chicks wanting to have a get together with some white wine and an all-night viewing of “Sex and the City” but can’t be bothered to buy the vino hours in advance, the $59 “Waring Pro Wine Chiller” might just be a key asset. It’s a little pricey, but for technologically advanced wine coolers, it may be as cheap as they come. The gadget chills the fruity beverages on command, a necessity when trying to make it through Carrie and Big Parts 1 through 125 in a single night.

The cheapest wine coolers are, unfortunately, quite low-tech. There are many various sleeves that can be thrown in the freezer overnight and come with the promise of chilling a bottle quickly for upwards of three hours. But let’s be honest, for those who think that’s a good idea, just buy the wine in advance and save $9. It’s the technology that makes chilling a bottle of wine on command super-cool.

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