"The beautiful clear wand with encapsulated crystals uses natural frequencies to perfectly aerate and decant wine within minutes instead of hours. Simply inserted into a bottle for 5 minutes, or placed in a glass for 2 or 3 minutes, the Philip Stein Wine Wand doesn’t change the taste of the wine, but only releases the wine’s natural aromas and flavours. The Wine Wand is available in two sizes; the Small Wand or Travel Size which is suitable for a wine glass or the Large Wand, ideal for decanting an entire bottle of wine."

I'm always looking for gadgets relating to alcohol. Maybe it's the Scottish in me, who knows. Therefore, when I was asked to test the Philip Stein 'Wine Wand' I jumped at the chance.

I suppose one either has the sceptical view of "that's never gonna work" or "oh my god I need one of these". I was the latter, probably because of the amount of wine I consume (another story).

I tested this gadget on copious amounts of wine (well it was only fair to give it a good road test), all ranging in price along with my friends. Firstly, it was of huge interest to everyone and yet not one of us could explain how it works. But then I thought who cares as long as it does. But for us girls it has a sparkly ball on the top that looks fab....Oooh.

Let me say straight off it does work! God knows how but I'll leave that to Philip Stein to explain. All I know is you stick it in your glass of wine or bottle for a few minutes and it does the breathing process for you – faster than opening a bottle and falling asleep waiting for it to be drinkable.

I loved that it came in an exquisite leather case made of soft but thick leather........which helps me because of it being a permanent fixture in my handbag! (Apologies PR people – but look, it’s still in one piece and when we say ‘road test’ ...) Whenever I'm out now and in the pub out it comes and everyone wants it in their glass/bottle. Thank god it only takes a few minutes to work! I normally leave it in the bottle for a few more minutes than in the glass.

This is a great party piece to have and enormously handy at a dinner party. When the wine gets finished quicker that you thought it would, the next bottle is ready in minutes (phew).

With Xmas coming up it is an ideal gift to give your nearest and dearest. Although this is not the cheapest of gadgets if you have it for years to come and you love your wine like me, it’s well worth it!

Go on, treat yourself!

The RRP for the travel size Wine Wand is £195 and £325 for the large Wand and they are available online from Philip Stein Wine Wands