The 9 Greatest Corkscrews, In response to Specialists

“I’ve used just about each form of equipment you’ll be able to to get a cork out of a bottle—sabering, port tongs, telephone e book, even a excessive heel,” says Theo Rutherford, a licensed sommelier with Josh Cellars. “I at all times come again to the straightforward, dependable waiter’s wine key.”

This Pulltap choice is a workhorse of a wine key; plus, it is an inexpensive wine accent. Designed with professionals in thoughts, the hinged double-lever system and serrated knife blade make it a breeze to open bottles with each lengthy and brief corks. “The 2-step development means you hardly ever break a cork,” provides Rutherford. “I’ve had the identical one for no less than 10 years, and it has by no means executed flawed by me.”

Wael Deek, beverage director at Osteria 57 in New York, agrees with this corkscrew’s potential to protect the cork and weighs in with recommendation: “Pulltap’s double-hinged corkscrew is my favourite as a result of it secures a mess-free bottle opening expertise.” He continues, “A tip of mine is to by no means over-screw: You’ll be able to by no means return, and that may danger breaking the cork.”

The one factor to concentrate on is that the blade could should be sharpened periodically.

Materials: Cork | Colour: Black | Dimensions (LxWxH): 7.3 x 1.5 x 0.9 inches

Richard Vayda, Director of Wine Research on the Institute of Culinary Schooling, is especially keen on the waiter’s corkscrew. “As you study immediately as a wine steward, these corkscrews are simply moveable and customarily very dependable openers.” He provides, “Not like many different openers, additionally they sport a knife to chop the capsule on the bottle and normally a crown bottle opener for these moments the place you need to have a beer.”

This one from Laguiole is worthy of gift-giving, too. Every of those high-quality corkscrews is hand made by native artisans close to the Laguiole village in France, and the design is a stunner. The end is exceptional; the deal with is product of black buffalo horn with shiny stainless-steel {hardware}, although the revered French model affords a spread of high-end finishings, from polished teak to carbonized wooden.

Whereas it’s a chic opener, it was a bit tough to make use of for opening a number of bottles as a result of the bottle opener is beneath the blade. A phrase of warning, although, that it’s fairly skinny, which makes it robust to crack open bottles, though it’ll definitely work in case you’re in a pinch. The opener itself is a single-lever (or single-stepped). This makes it harder to yank out the cork. 

Materials: Buffalo horn, stainless-steel | Colour: Black and different finishes resembling teak and carbonized wooden | Dimensions (LxWxH): 4.7 x 0.5 x 1.1 inches

“Being a chef who typically cooks with wine, I’ve tried and fumbled with many wine openers and preservation methods,” says Hugh Acheson, the proprietor of 5 & Ten and a decide on “Prime Chef.” “However Coravin is completely different—it’s simple to make use of, preserves completely, and pours completely.”

As an alternative of utterly eradicating the cork, the Coravin wine system is outfitted with a Teflon-coated wine needle that sails by way of the cork and permits you to take away a glass of wine at a time (with out airing out the entire bottle). “The system helps me cherish particular bottles of wine for a very very long time, seeing how they modify and evolve,” says Acheson.

For wine fans, it’s an effective way to do comparative tastings or get pleasure from only a style of a particular wine with out committing to a full bottle. Whereas the preliminary worth is hefty, observe that it permits you to work by way of extra particular bottles with out opening the total factor. (Although, the price of refilling canisters can get dear.) In case your wine-drinking conditions are extra on a regular basis and easy, then this costly product is not for you.

Materials: Rubber, plastic, and metallic | Colour: Black | Dimensions (LxWxH): 2.5 x 4.25 x 8.25 inches

“To me, corkscrews do not need to be costly, they simply should be useful,” says Jose Medina Camacho, owner-operator of Adios Bar in Birmingham, Ala. “I used to be gifted this wine key, and it really works completely—the blade is longer than most and works for different issues that do not contain opening a wine bottle.” And the worth is true; at beneath $10, it is value having a few these available.

With a chrome steel and aluminum development, this double-hinged corkscrew encompasses a Teflon-coated non-stick spiral. “The wine opener as a complete is one thing that’s sturdy and agency,” says Camacho. It is available in normal black and an array of different colours.

This bottle opener is light-weight, quick, and straightforward to make use of. The knife is sharp, the joints are versatile, the levers are on the excellent angle, and it feels sturdy, contemplating how slim it’s. Nonetheless, it isn’t essentially the most secure guess for older corks or these which can be tough to take away, as generally the cork breaks with this corkscrew.

Materials: Stainless-steel and plastic | Colour: Matte black, blue, purple, pink, inexperienced, and extra | Dimensions (LxWxH): 4.75 x 1 x 0.5 inches

Associated: The Greatest Wine Openers, In response to Specialists

“A wine secret is that different software that’s simply so important to us as bartenders,” says Rochelle Tougas, common supervisor of Loft18 in Houston. “That is my favourite wine key I’ve ever owned.”

In the event you’re on the lookout for a fantastic present for the wine lover in your life, the fashionable aesthetic of this Viski Belmont corkscrew makes it a fantastic choice. Doreen Winkler, a pure wine sommelier and founding father of Orange Glou, a wine subscription service, seconds this: “It has a stable, sharp blade to take away foil graciously, and it is double-hinged, so it is easy for everybody to make use of.” She provides, “It is usually out there in gold, rose gold, and black.” Whereas most coloured corkscrews will begin to chip and put on over time, the high-end materials will retain its shine and shade for years to return. The design is exclusive and attention-grabbing, too.

Some reviewers have reported that it is tough to open it with one hand and that it generally sticks.

Materials: Stainless-steel | Colour: Gold, rose gold, gun metallic black finishes | Dimensions (LxWxH): 0.75 x 1 x 4.75 inches

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An ideal low-effort choice, lever corkscrews take away the cork shortly, simply, and with minimal bodily effort. Merely place the non-stick screw above the cork, and in two simple motions and one pump of the lever, the corkscrew removes and releases the cork. It is even suitable with corks of all development, together with plastic and artificial. 

This one from OXO comes with a detachable foil cutter that may be saved contained in the opener, thereby stopping cuts and scratches from common foil knives. Manufactured from die-cast zinc, the deal with is constructed of a comfortable, non-slip grip to provide you leverage when opening. A nonstick screw (or worm) chisels into the cork.

The foil cutter seamlessly slides into the opener for straightforward storage. In case one screw breaks, a further one is included, which is useful simply in case.

Resulting from this wine opener’s design, it isn’t essentially the most compact opener to simply tuck away in a kitchen drawer. It is usually costlier than these with a fundamental design.

Materials: Stainless-steel, black | Colour: Black | Dimensions (LxWxH): 2.5 x 7.6 x 7.2 inches

“The Durand is my favourite corkscrew,” says Malek Amrani, founding father of The Vice Wine, a small-batch winery in Napa Valley. Although it is on the pricier aspect, this patented system is particularly designed to securely take away compromised or fragile corks. The 2-part system provides the pliability to insert the ah-so prongs down between the cork and the bottleneck, permitting you to slip out the cork whereas conserving it intact.

“I additionally use it for bottles once I’m monitoring or finding out their growing old growth,” says Amrani. “You’ll be able to pull the cork out and put it again a number of instances with out damaging the cork or the wine.” An included corkscrew permits further assist, and the system consists of the worm.

Whereas execs like it, it does require a little bit of a studying curve. Contemplate testing out a Durand with low-stakes bottles to get the dangle of it (and browse the directions fastidiously, too). Wine collectors with high-end cellars swear by this corkscrew. The compact cork (cute!) carrying case helps defend the legs from bending or snapping. It is undoubtedly not the least costly choice amongst this choice, however if in case you have an intensive wine cellar and do not ever need to gamble on breaking a cork, that is the go-to particular software.

Materials: Steel | Colour: Silver | Dimensions (LxWxH): 6.34 x 4.57 x 2.17 inches

The large draw of this crowd-pleasing, basic corkscrew is that it opens bottles with minimal effort, thanks to 2 wide-winged arms that apply strain on the cork. The sturdy lever arms of the Rabbit winged corkscrew provide you with additional leverage to softly take away corks. A secure base with a large mouth (that matches bottles of any measurement) and a thicker head do all of the heavy lifting. The mechanics for this old-school opener are foolproof, nevertheless it comes with a five-year guarantee.

Slimmer than most winged corkscrews, this dishwasher-safe choice is constructed of sturdy plastic and stainless-steel {hardware}. Word that this selection doesn’t include a foil cutter, however the versatile head doubles as a beer opener. Total, it’s a dependable, fail-safe, entry-level choice that helps you simply take away a cork with out breaking it.

Materials: Plastic, stainless-steel | Colour: Black, silver | Dimensions (LxWxH): 8 x 3.3 x 1 inches

Hilda Ysusi, culinary guide and former chef and proprietor of Damaged Barrel in Woodlands, Texas, favors this double-hinged corkscrew from BarVivo, and with good cause. This all-in-one software consists of a double-hinged fulcrum, a serrated foil cutter, a double corkscrew, and a useful beer opener. A slick pure wooden deal with additionally provides to its enchantment.

“One of the best waiter’s corkscrew variations are the variations with a hinged leg or boot lever, or alternately, fashions with two boot levers,” says Vayda. “This lets you begin on the hinge or smaller leg and end opening with your entire lever, giving extra leverage originally of the method.”

This selection checks loads of packing containers. It’s double-hinged, with an excellent sharp screw and a sturdy stainless-steel and resin end. Sturdiness apart, the modern detailing and the bigger measurement make this an inexpensive rival to the higher-end Lagiuole on this listing. It’s, nonetheless, a bit heavy compared to others, which is perhaps a disadvantage for some.

Materials: Wooden, stainless-steel | Colour: Silver | Dimensions (LxWxH): 4.69 x 0.59 x 1.18 inches