WINE OPENERS


The Process:
1. Address the bottle like you mean business
2. Remove the foil: via circumcision with foil cutter, or just pick the darn stuff off (See Foil Cutters)
3. Position the opener of choice over the center of the exposed cork and have at it, per the steps below

Tool Suggestions:
Unless you had to for a living, most people have not learned to use a cork screw, and many can't be bothered to try. Here's a selection of popular openers, with our comment on the pros & cons.

Old School
New School
Waiter's Corkscrew
Takes some practice, but worth it. This is the most compact, transportable opener yet invented, & works on all cork types. Many versions available but shop for the "double hinge" feature.
To use: open the foil cutter blade and slice around the top rim of the bottle to remove the foil. Replace the blade and open the black lever away from the screw. Position the tip of the screw in the middle of the cork, and while holding the bottle in one hand, twist the screw into the bottle. Go as far as you can, then bring the lever down and position it on the lip of the bottle. This is your leverage to then pull the cork out of the bottle. A double hinge in the lever helps with alternate positionings.

Oster Electric Opener
Clearly not practical for camping, but for the arthritic, this is the bomb!
It removes the foil & pops the cork. All with the press of a button!
Requires some counter space near an outlet for the charging base.

Wing Corkscrew
Very easy, affordable, can be found in many stores, but requires some hand strength.
To Use: Position the cylinder over the bottle neck and hold in place while you screw into the cork with the top handle/loop. The levers on the side will work their way upward, like wings. When vertical, you grab each lever with a hand and press downard to pop up the cork.

 

New Fangled Rabbit CorkScrew
This device is industrial and hi-tech. But frankly, a bit pricey and bulky compared to other equally effective options.

 

Ah-So or "Prong"
Master the rocking motion as you insert the two prongs down between the cork and the sides of bottle neck, and you have another good travelling opener. Seldom breaks a cork like a screw can.
Note: Difficult to use with synthetic corks.

Foil Cutters:
In a pinch you can use the tip of a corkscrew or ah-so to pick at the foil sufficiently to grab an end and pull it off. But, foil cutters make a nice even slice around the top, and a groovy gift for the winos on your list.