Wine Enthusiasts, Let's Elevate Your Wine Experience with THE Plum Appliance
I recently virtually attended the largest Kitchen & Bath industry show, KBIS. Attending tradeshows is vital as it allows my team and I to confidently recommend products to our clients. When proposing items, you can trust that we have either tested the product or received in-depth training to understand and learn more about the brand. It’s wild to reflect on my experience at KBIS of January 2020 versus KBIS Virtual 2021. One year ago, I traveled from Caldwell, New Jersey, to Las Vegas, stayed in the Nomad Hotel, toured the tradeshow amongst thousands of visitors worldwide, physically tested the latest innovations, and networked with my colleagues with fancy cocktails at beautifully designed lounges.
While things aren’t back to normal yet, the home industry pivoted by using the power of creativity and technology to recreate industry experiences for design professionals to continue to discover, learn, share new products, and network. From virtually touring booths, live demonstrations, seminars, and online panel discussions to gathering in the community forum to continue the conversations and network with other professionals —KBIS Virtual had exceeded my expectations.
Thanks to Modenus Media, I had the pleasure to attend an intimate virtual event as one of the DesignHounds, to learn about the Plum appliance which preserves and dispenses wine. Plum was introduced at KBIS last year and won the Best of KBIS Award. I distinctively remember their presentation on the main stage during Design Bites, and afterwards, quickly ran over to their booth to learn more.
WHAT IS PLUM & WHY WE’RE RAVING ABOUT IT
Plum is the the first appliance to preserve, chill, and serve any 750ml bottle, one perfect pour at a time. How is it the perfect glass every time? Plum uses argon gas to preserve your bottle after each pour— as if it was never opened. This extends the shelf life of your wine up to 90 days. With a click of button, you can select the ounces you wish to drink and Plum will dispense and aerate the selected amount. No more wasting wine! The sleek design can be incorporated into any room as it could sit on a countertop, tabletop, or be integrated into cabinetry.
Simply place your bottle of choice inside the chamber with the cork or metal screw cap on. The Plum then reads the wine label using Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology which then automatically sets the chamber to the perfect temperature as the winemaker intends. To dispense, click the desired ounce from the touchscreen keypad; the appliance will then pierce through the foil and closure, and pour for optimum drinking. Upon pouring, the bottle is preserved with argon gas to keep your wine fresh for up to three months!
THE INAUGURAL LAUNCH OF PLUM’S WINE HEROES
During the virtual event, we celebrated the launch of the Plum’s Wine Heroes Design Council, enjoyed a live demonstration of the appliance, learned about the complexity of wine from our sommelier, and tasted the bold flavors of the PerUs wine that Plum generously gifted to the DesignHounds.
After a training on Plum, we enjoyed a virtual wine tasting with our sommelier on behalf of PerUs wines. We tasted and experienced the flamboyant flavors of the 2016 Alessio, a Bordeaux blend which is 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Alessio is a full-body aromatic wine with black cherry, citrus, cocoa, oak, spicy pepper, and floral notes.
As our sommelier described, the best way to get a sense of your wine is to tilt the glass as far as you can, getting the wine as close to your nose without spilling. Initially, I smelt an oaky barrel with fruity black cherry notes. When you tilt the wine, you can see the inky plum color—almost opaque while it fades to a beautiful ruby hue near the edge—a trait of thick-skinned grapes.
THE STORY BEHIND PerUs
PerUs means “for us.” The logo represents a keyhole and an amphora clay pot, which was once used for fermenting wine. Since PerUs is a members-only wine club that delivers exceptional wines and propriety blends that you can’t find anywhere else, members hold the key to metaphorically “unlock” their bottle. PerUs started with 60 cases of its 2013 vintage and has scaled to 1,000 cases.
DOES YOUR WINE HAVE NICE LEGS?
“Legs” refer to the streaks that trickle down the side of the wineglass after you swirl it. The legs are caused by the alcohol content, so it’s thought that the more legs, the higher the alcohol content.
And wow, did the 2016 Alessio have great legs!
“The legs of a wine can be telling of where it’s from. For example, a Cabernet Franc from Napa Valley will have thicker legs then a Cab Franc from Loire.”
ELEVATE the EVERY DAy
The theme of the evening was how we can celebrate every single day by elevating our daily experiences. Plum allows for wine lovers and enthusiasts to elevate their drinking experience and prolong the shelf-life of their favorite bottles. The portable and slender design can be integrated into any room, cabinetry, or even pieces of furniture.
Ancillary rooms are immediately upgraded by incorporating the Plum appliance. Formal sitting rooms become lounge spaces. Master suites become an indulgent retreat and a true escape (from life and maybe children). Butler’s pantries can serve perfect glasses of wine without an actual butler—think about the endless possibilities!
Designed by AMA Designs & Interiors. Photography by Mariah Texidor
As we continue to spend more time at home, we miss those dining and entertainment experiences—but who says that we can’t recreate and enjoy these moments at home?
Over the past year, so many people have reached out to me to reinvent their spaces. I’ve designed at-home theaters, lounge rooms, integrated bars, commercial-quality kitchens, meditation and wellness areas, spa-like bathrooms, and hotel-like bedrooms.
We all have been staring at our homes’ interiors, leading to a surge of awareness which has spurred countless DIY projects, organizing, purging items, painting rooms, or hiring a professional designer and starting new. This awakening of recognizing how our environment makes us feel (and realizing the alterations we can make to shift our state of well-being) is here to stay. Through all of the challenges, we have discovered what is important and what is not.
“If you are having three meals a day at home, why not make them all memorable? In the morning, if you enjoy coffee and fruit: place the fruit on a beautiful dish, sit down by a view, and enjoy that moment. ”
Ronda Carman encouraged us to elevate your everyday by burning the nice candles, using the tablecloths, and dining on the fine china. Celebrating the every day does not have to be complicated or overly fancy, keep it simple. Reinvent your daily routine by swapping one basic item for something special. Creating special moments, in turn, make you feel special.
Speaking of special—I’d like to give a special thank you to Veronika and the Modenus media team for the opportunity and connecting designers with brands like Plum. Thank you Andreas of Plum for your generosity and time to share more information and demonstrate the product. Also, thank you to Katya and Leigh at PerUs for sharing your brilliance and wisdom behind my favorite drink, wine!
You deserve a space that supports you in every facet of your life daily—whether it’s a random Tuesday night, your birthday, or a holiday.