Wine bottle openers
Dec 18, 2010 | 12:16 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,438
Wine bottle openers
We're a two bottles a night house (wine) and I think we have tried every type of opener there is, most of them given to us as gifts. It seems like all the newer, creative openers we've tried break after limited use so now we're back to the tried and true - simple twist and pull. What does everybody else use?
Dec 18, 2010 | 12:31 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SEA/YVR/BLI
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FWIW we've been quite happy with a two-step "waiter's" corkscrew that we picked up at Trader Joe's for a few dollars. Our son recommended it to us - he's since moved on to a Rabbit but this one gets the job done for us quite nicely. A search will show these for sale from $8-15.
We added a foil cutter to our inventory as well. It works much better for us than the little knife found on many corkscrews.
Cheers,
Fredd
We added a foil cutter to our inventory as well. It works much better for us than the little knife found on many corkscrews.
Cheers,
Fredd
Dec 18, 2010 | 7:11 pm
#4
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,593
I have 3 different types, each of which is needed in some circumstance --dictated by cork condition and wine value. An open teflon screw is indeed important, to avoid impacting the cork. The more expensive models are meant for restaurants, as they open a bottle more quickly. Important if you open 100 bottles an hour, but not otherwise.
Dec 18, 2010 | 8:19 pm
#5
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Location: Easton, CT, USA
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We have at least six or eight different types, and the waiters one gets the most use. A couple have a non stick coating like pans do, it makes it incredibly easy to screw into the bottle.
My second choice would be the Rabbit for good corks, and the one that puts two prongs, one on each side of the cork, to remove it without damaging the cork works for everything.
it has been amazing over the years to see how different people at wineries and restaurants prefer different styles.
My second choice would be the Rabbit for good corks, and the one that puts two prongs, one on each side of the cork, to remove it without damaging the cork works for everything.
it has been amazing over the years to see how different people at wineries and restaurants prefer different styles.
Dec 18, 2010 | 9:30 pm
#6
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,593
I used to think that, until a particularly fragile cork in a particularly valuable bottle pushed into the wine and disintegrated -- not good. The screwpull works the best for fragile corks, interestingly enough, at least on the thousand bottles that I've tried it on.
Dec 19, 2010 | 7:36 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: south of WAS DC
Posts: 10,131
the screwpull works best of the screw type because the diameter of the thread is among the largest.(the outside edges of the screw are very near the outside edges of the bottle). for old,soft and dry corks, i find an "Ah SO" works best.
Dec 19, 2010 | 10:10 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,771
The Rabbit screwpull is my favorite for ease of use, every time.
That said, I usually use a standard waiter's corkscrew because I like the pomp and circumstance of it...feels like more of an event.
That said, I usually use a standard waiter's corkscrew because I like the pomp and circumstance of it...feels like more of an event.
Dec 27, 2010 | 4:37 am
#11
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NY by birth. By choice, BNA in the US, YXE in Canada.
Posts: 2,420
FWIW we've been quite happy with a two-step "waiter's" corkscrew that we picked up at Trader Joe's for a few dollars. Our son recommended it to us - he's since moved on to a Rabbit but this one gets the job done for us quite nicely. A search will show these for sale from $8-15.
Dec 27, 2010 | 9:29 am
#13
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,934
I love my Puigpull:
http://www.rosehillwinecellars.com/3...ils.php?id=830
In terms of size and heft it closely resembles a waiter's corkscrew, but has a sort of ratchet device. You flip open the screw part, twist it in, flip the handle up and put the notch on top of the bottle (just like a waiter's corkscrew). Then comes the fun part, you flip up the handle and work it like a ratchet and the cork lifts right out.
We saw this in use at Vini di Gigio in Venice, and loved it so much that the waiter sold us one. Once you get some experience it is really quick, and I like that it is a very manual operation.
http://www.rosehillwinecellars.com/3...ils.php?id=830
In terms of size and heft it closely resembles a waiter's corkscrew, but has a sort of ratchet device. You flip open the screw part, twist it in, flip the handle up and put the notch on top of the bottle (just like a waiter's corkscrew). Then comes the fun part, you flip up the handle and work it like a ratchet and the cork lifts right out.
We saw this in use at Vini di Gigio in Venice, and loved it so much that the waiter sold us one. Once you get some experience it is really quick, and I like that it is a very manual operation.
Dec 27, 2010 | 11:14 am
#15
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