The 9 Greatest Corkscrews, In response to Consultants

“I’ve used just about each sort of equipment you’ll be able to to get a cork out of a bottle—sabering, port tongs, telephone ebook, even a excessive heel,” says Theo Rutherford, an authorized sommelier with Josh Cellars. “I all the time come again to the easy, 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 quick corks. “The 2-step building means you not often break a cork,” provides Rutherford. “I’ve had the identical one for a minimum of 10 years, and it has by no means accomplished mistaken by me.”

Wael Deek, beverage director at Osteria 57 in New York, agrees with this corkscrew’s capacity 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 may by no means return, and that may threat breaking the cork.”

The one factor to pay attention to is that the blade might have to be sharpened periodically.

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

Richard Vayda, Director of Wine Research on the Institute of Culinary Training, is especially keen on the waiter’s corkscrew. “As you study straight away as a wine steward, these corkscrews are simply moveable and customarily very dependable openers.” He provides, “In contrast to 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 will 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 made from black buffalo horn with shiny stainless-steel {hardware}, although the revered French model gives a variety of high-end finishings, from polished teak to carbonized wooden.

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

Materials: Buffalo horn, stainless-steel | Shade: Black and different finishes reminiscent of 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 programs,” says Hugh Acheson, the proprietor of 5 & Ten and a choose on “Prime Chef.” “However Coravin is totally different—it’s simple to make use of, preserves completely, and pours completely.”

As a substitute of fully 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 extremely very long time, seeing how they alter and evolve,” says Acheson.

For wine fans, it’s a good 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 simple, then this costly product is not for you.

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

“To me, corkscrews do not must be costly, they simply have to 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 correct; at underneath $10, it is price having a few these readily available.

With a stainless-steel and aluminum building, 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. Nevertheless, it is not essentially the most secure wager for older corks or these which might be difficult to take away, as typically the cork breaks with this corkscrew.

Materials: Chrome steel and plastic | Shade: Matte black, blue, pink, pink, inexperienced, and extra | Dimensions (LxWxH): 4.75 x 1 x 0.5 inches

Associated: The Greatest Wine Openers, In response to Consultants

“A wine key’s 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.”

If you happen to’re in search of an awesome reward for the wine lover in your life, the fashionable aesthetic of this Viski Belmont corkscrew makes it an awesome 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 simple for everybody to make use of.” She provides, “It is usually obtainable 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 colour for years to come back. The design is exclusive and crowd pleasing, too.

Some reviewers have reported that it is difficult to open it with one hand and that it typically sticks.

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

Associated: The Greatest Wine Decanters

An incredible 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 building, 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. Made from die-cast zinc, the deal with is constructed of a comfortable, non-slip grip to present you leverage when opening. A nonstick screw (or worm) chisels into the cork.

The foil cutter seamlessly slides into the opener for simple storage. In case one screw breaks, an extra one is included, which is useful simply in case.

On account of this wine opener’s design, it is not essentially the most compact opener to simply tuck away in a kitchen drawer. It is usually costlier than these with a fundamental design.

Materials: Chrome steel, black | Shade: 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 machine is particularly designed to securely take away compromised or fragile corks. The 2-part machine offers the pliability to insert the ah-so prongs down between the cork and the bottleneck, permitting you to slip out the cork whereas holding it intact.

“I additionally use it for bottles once I’m monitoring or learning their getting old growth,” says Amrani. “You may pull the cork out and put it again a number of occasions with out damaging the cork or the wine.” An included corkscrew permits further assist, and the machine consists of the worm.

Whereas execs find it irresistible, it does require a little bit of a studying curve. Take into account testing out a Durand with low-stakes bottles to get the dangle of it (and skim the directions rigorously, too). Wine collectors with high-end cellars swear by this corkscrew. The compact cork (cute!) carrying case helps shield the legs from bending or snapping. It is positively not the least costly choice amongst this choice, however you probably 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 | Shade: Silver | Dimensions (LxWxH): 6.34 x 4.57 x 2.17 inches

The massive draw of this crowd-pleasing, traditional corkscrew is that it opens bottles with minimal effort, thanks to 2 wide-winged arms that apply stress on the cork. The sturdy lever arms of the Rabbit winged corkscrew offer you additional leverage to softly take away corks. A secure base with a large mouth (that matches bottles of any dimension) and a thicker head do all of the heavy lifting. The mechanics for this old-school opener are foolproof, however 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 feature 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 | Shade: 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 purpose. 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 attraction.

“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 the complete lever, giving extra leverage at the start of the method.”

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

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