Archive | April, 2010

A Classic Oil and Vinegar Set

By in Oil & Vinegar Sets

Sometimes you find yourself looking for a stylish but functional oil and vinegar set that will look great for any occasion. You have an idea of what you want, but with so many options it can be difficult to find exactly what you need. Enter the classic oil and vinegar set. These bottles are simple but classy, and are appropriate for all your dining occasions, from holiday dinners to more intimate affairs.

An oil and vinegar set is important in Mediterranean cuisine as it serves two purposes. It holds the oil and vinegar used on salads, garlic bread, and other appetizers served during the meal. It is also a vital part of the table setting. A Mediterranean table setting without oil and vinegar bottles is like a Chinese meal without the soup bowl. It just feels incomplete.

Oil and Vinegar Set

When you’re looking to pick up a cruet set for oil and vinegar there are a few things you should keep in mind. First of all, it is important to find one that is aesthetically pleasing and will fit in well with your dining room decor. If you are buying a set as a gift for an anniversary, wedding shower, Christmas or other occasion it is important to consider the style the recipient would enjoy. If you are unsure of the recipient’s preferred style it’s hard to go wrong with a simple set made with clear, hand-blown glass. This is the traditional style seen in restaurants and homes throughout Italy and the Mediterranean. Ceramic bottles with hand-painted designs are another popular choice, but make sure the design is something that they will enjoy showing off to friends and family. It is also important to consider how much you are willing to spend.

Classic oil and vinegar bottles do not need to be expensive, but you want to make sure you’re getting a good value. High-end sets are often made of durable porcelain and are decorated with beautiful hand-painted images. Other expensive sets are made from fine crystal or ornamented with silver and other precious metals. These types of oil and vinegar sets are often given as gifts for a variety of special occasions. Basic glass bottle sets are considerably more affordable and are perfect for day to day use. Another option is to purchase your oil and vinegar bottles separately. If you choose to go this route you can purchase an olive oil decanter specifically designed for pouring oil and protecting it from flavor degradation.

In addition you can find a wide assortment of vinegar bottles to pair with your oil decanter. This is a good option when you have a variety of different vinegars to choose from. Why not set out several bottles and let your guests choose between red wine vinegar, balsamic, and white wine vinegar? You can do this if you purchase your vinegar bottles separately and build your own set. If you do any sort of dining at home you are going to want an oil & vinegar set for your dining room table. Shopping for kitchen items can be fun but it’s always important find that piece that you can feel good about and will be proud to call your own for years to come.




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Decorative Oil & Vinegar Bottles

By in Bottles

There are a wide array of decorative oil and vinegar bottles available for anyone looking to really diversify their collection of kitchen accessories. While plain glass oil bottles may be fine for day-to-day use, sometimes you need that special something that will really dazzle friends and family during holiday dinners and special occasions. For these situations, a decorative oil and vinegar set may be just what you’re searching for.




Home Essentials Ribbed Glass Cruets
Not only are these ribbed glass bottles decorative, they are also quite functional. Metal stoppers keep your vinegar and oil fresh for several months. These bottles go with just about any kitchen decor and are an accessory you will be proud to have on display year-round.


Deruta Oil and Vinegar Bottles on Tray
This elegant gift-worthy set from the town of Deruta in Italy is made of ceramic and comes hand-painted with the image of grapes and fresh olives. Perfect for celebrations of all types or as a thoughtful gift idea.


Portmeirion Pomona Earthenware Set
This two-piece set is adorned with the image of fresh fruit on the tree and is a welcome addition to any kitchen. Made of quality earthenware this oil and vinegar pairing is ideal for springtime suppers or holiday gatherings.



Handmade Parrucca Oil & Vinegar Set
One of the cutest kitchen accessories you will find, this Sicilian-made oil and vinegar centerpiece is 100% handmade and is sure to be a big hit with all who use it. The bottles are labeled with the Italian words for oil and vinegar: olio & aceto.


Tuscany Grape Oil & Vinegar Bottle Set
Lovely hand-painted ceramic oil & vinegar set with large handles for easy pouring. This grape-adorned set comes with a ceramic caddy and makes for a terrific table centerpiece.


Retro Olive Oil & Vinegar Bottles With Amber-Colored Glass
Add some vibrant colors to your kitchen with this amber set of decorative oil and vinegar bottles. These bottles have an easy-pour spout and hang securely on an iron stand with a swirl design. This set comes in five additional colors, including clear glass.



Pfaltzgraff Everyday Olive Grove Oil & Vinegar
This beautiful clay oil and vinegar set by Pfaltzgraff evokes the feelings of a quiet Tuscan scene with olives on a vine above the image of a quaint country home. Also available are a number of matching accessories including salt and pepper shakers and diner plates.


Spode Blue Italian Oil Vinegar Set With Tray
This six-ounce oil and vinegar set comes in the famous Spode Italian pattern that has delighted diners for centuries. The bottles and matching tray are made of white translucent porcelain and the set is decorated using lithographs that are applied by hand.


Gourmet Glass Bottle With Sunflower Stopper
These decorative glass bottles are perfect for oil, vinegar or anything else. The bottle comes with an attractive, printed design and includes both a standard stopper and one with a miniature sunflower, so you can choose which to use depending on the occasion. An excellent gift for any sunflower-lover.



Take a look at some more of our favorite oil and vinegar bottles.

About Decorative Bottles

Decorative oil bottles are typically made of glass or ceramic, however porcelain and stainless steel bottles are also available. Beautiful handcrafted ceramic oil bottles come in many shapes and sizes and are often hand-painted with an assortment of original designs and motifs. These bottles are designed for both style and function and should make it easy to pour just the right amount of liquid on your salads and meals. High-end bottles are fitted with a well-designed spout or olive oil pourer that will not drip or allow the liquid to run down the sides of the container. Decorative olive oil bottles are perfect for your fine extra-virgin olive oils that you’ve been saving for those special occasions. Fine glass oil bottles are different from your standard drizzler or olive oil dispenser. These bottles may contain lovely hand-painted designs or come in various shades of tinted glass. Many quality bottles also come complete with an oil dipping set. These sets allow diners to enjoy fine olive oil with slices of their favorite, freshly-baked bread.

Decorative Oil and Vinegar Bottles

Like oil bottles, decorative vinegar bottles also come in glass or ceramic designs. Ceramic units are often painted with grapes or another image that will help to distinguish the bottle as containing vinegar. These vinegar bottles typically come with a pourer or a stopper, depending on what best fits the bottle’s style. You can even find bottles in a variety of retro styles that will help to set the mood during your next special occasion.

Decorative oil & vinegar bottles make a wonderful addition to just about anyone’s kitchen. While you may not want to use these culinary instruments on a daily basis, they are especially valuable for those special occasions when company is coming over and everything just has to look its best. Whether you would like a set made of glass, ceramic, porcelain, or steel you are sure to find ones that will suit your unique style.


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Olive Oil Dispensers

By in Oil Drizzlers

An olive oil dispenser is a handy kitchen utensil that is designed to slowly pour out its contents over your meals. It is useful when you want to pour just the right amount of oil on salads, soups, cooked vegetables, or just about any other dish that requires oil. The spout is designed to release only a little bit of the bottle’s contents at a time, thus making a light application of oil possible. Oil drizzlers come in many shapes and sizes. Some have a simple designs, a glass bottle with a fitted spout or a metal container with a cylindrical top. Other containers are made from hand blown glass. Some drizzlers have frosted glass designs etched into the outside of the bottle. Often clear glass is used so that the contents of the bottle can be seen, adding a decorative look to its functionality.

oil drizzler

A decorative olive oil drizzler is an excellent alternative when shopping for oil and vinegar bottles. A drizzler can be paired with any number of decorative vinegar bottles to make for an attractive set that your family will enjoy over and over again. One nice design idea seen in many quality drizzlers is a wide necked bottle. The wide neck allows the chef to insert various fresh herbs right into the bottle. The herbs’ own oils and flavor can then permeate the oil that is in the drizzler. In this way the oil changes from the ordinary to a flavorful delight. You may also add small peppers and other spices for a unique flavor each time. The most commonly used oil in an oil drizzler is a high-quality olive oil, however many other oils can be used, including flavored oils and garlic oil. You can even use a drizzler for your favorite cooking wine or vinegar if you so choose.

Whether you are an accomplished chef or a self-taught kitchen dad, an olive oil pourer is one kitchen item that is tough to live without. In addition to its functional appeal an olive oil dispenser also makes a great gift for a birthday, anniversary, or holiday.

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Cruet Set for the Dining Table

By in Cruets

When looking for that perfect set of oil and vinegar bottles many customers opt for a classic cruet set over more traditional bottles. Cruets are a type of stylish container often made of hand-blown glass. These bottles come in a variety of shapes and styles but typically contain a rounded bottom section with a narrow neck and a spout for pouring. The spout on an olive oil cruet slows the stream of oil for a perfect pour with very little dripping and no mess to clean up.

Cruets have long been used to store a variety of liquids, from wine to water to lemon juice, yet they are traditionally made to hold the old kitchen standbys, oil and vinegar. The oil and vinegar cruet is especially popular in Italian kitchens and it is not uncommon to see them on restaurant tables throughout Italy and other parts of the world.

Cruet Set

What is the advantage of a cruet set over standard oil and vinegar bottles? Decorative cruet sets are often best saved for those special occasions when you really want your table spread to impress. A glass cruet made of high-quality glassware or precious metal is a great conversation piece that is sure to be noticed by friends and family alike. These fancy bottles also make great gifts for weddings, anniversaries, or other special occasions.

There are a wide variety of elaborate cruet sets that can serve multiple purposes in the kitchen. Pedestal cruet sets come complete with a beautiful silver or medal plate and make for an impressive table centerpiece. These sets often come with a total of six bottles. Not only do you get a cruet for oil and vinegar, but there are also smaller matching bottles for salt and pepper as well as cruets for at least two other condiments. These sets are perfect for those times when you would like all the bottles on your table to match.

Vinegar and oil cruets are functional dining accessories that are a must for anyone who loves to cook and entertain at home. They make a unique gift for many different occasions and are sure to please for years to come.

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