There's no better way to start the day than with the perfect cup of coffee or tea at home or in the office.

Bodum offers a number of choices to fit your needs. Founded in 1944 by Peter Bodum in Copenhagen, Denmark, the company is known for its coffee and tea makers. The first in-house invention was the classic vacuum-method coffee maker.

The introduction of the Bistro, the first-ever French Press coffee maker with a plastic frame, had great success and soon became the cornerstone for all Bodum designs.

Bodum operates under the concept of "Real Design is Functional Art." Designs are based on three principles: simple and effective, created out of modern, affordable materials and long lasting.

"My vision is that good design should be affordable to everyone," said Jorgen Bodum, president of Bodum Worldwide.

The Bodum line has now grown to include a number of coffee and tea presses, electric products, glasses, woks and even fondue sets.

Here are two products to help with your coffee and tea needs:

— Bistro Double Wall Glass Drip Coffee Maker: The Bistro pot keeps your coffee hot and aromatic for quite a long time, while the exterior remains cool to the touch. The double wall jug makes it look as if the coffee is hovering inside, adding visual pleasure. The jug also features a stopper to keep hot or cold beverages stored for later use.

For ideal brewing, the gold-plated stainless steel filter is enclosed in a glass funnel to deliver a rich taste by maintaining the natural oils and not absorbing any residual flavors. All parts are dishwasher safe. Retail price is $90.

— Bistro Mug Press: In the office, or even at home, the Bistro Mug Press is scaled to fit into any mug or coffee cup so you can enjoy one cup at a time. Simply hang the mug press into the mug, lift the press rod and add coarse ground coffee into the press filter followed with hot water. Let it brew for a few minutes, press down on the plunger, remove the press and enjoy.

The press also comes with a plastic holder so there's no mess once you remove it. For those who prefer tea, fresh leaves work great. Retail price is $20.

For more information, call 800-23-BODUM (800-232-6386) or visit www.bodumusa.com.

DON'T WASTE WINE

It's a common predicament with wine drinkers. You would love a glass of that rather expensive wine with dinner, but not the whole bottle. And you don't want the rest to be wasted.

This was a dilemma Gregory Luzaich, who lives in California's Sonoma wine country, often faced; therefore, he invented the Pek Wine Steward.

"Being born and raised in the heart of the wine country I recognized a need, and I filled it," Luzaich said.

Once wine is open, it starts oxidizing and changes the taste. This can occur anywhere from two to eight hours, depending on the type of wine.

The Wine Steward uses replaceable cartridges to fill a wine bottle's air space with high-purity argon gas. This inert element prevents oxidation and keeps delicate vintages from spoiling for several days.

While the Preservo preserves, the Supremo has all the bells and whistles. The Supremo includes a label illumination lamp, a recommended serving temperature table (varietal specific), a status indicator LED, a temperature control knob (range 45 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit) and a quick chill button.

Both are available in black and silver. The Preservo retails for $100 and the Supremo for $200. A Tall Bottle Adapter allows taller 750-milliliter bottles to be used and costs $11. A box of four replacement argon cartridges retails for $12.

For more information, call 800-560-8860 or visit www.peksystems.com.

Maggie Reed may be reached at [email protected]. To find out more about Maggie Reed, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit www.creators.com.