In recent years, you will have noticed how the interest in the world of cooking and wine has grown. In particular, the latter plays an important role in every self-respecting table, regardless of whether it is white, red, or pink. But wine, beer, or similar products are often sold in glass bottles, closed with a cork or plastic caps, so the only way to open them is to use a corkscrew.
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How to buy a good corkscrew
Often found in home-improvement stores, the corkscrew is a useful kitchen utensil, even for those not sommeliers. Good quality saves time and keeps the organoleptic qualities of wine or beer unaltered without breaking the cork stoppers and, sometimes, even amazes the guests.
It will be easy to realize that a model is not good quality, but it is better to take stock of the many alternatives.
Let’s analyze how to choose a good corkscrew, analyzing some fundamental characteristics.
Structure
More than other things, one element stands out when looking for the best corkscrew on the market: its structure. With the entry of new technologies into the food and wine world, several things have changed, but an element like vermilion must never be missing.
In traditional corkscrews, you can find a screw structure, which sometimes has lateral arms, sometimes it is a gripper, and other times on the wall, but know that there are other more or less professional models and simpler structures.
If your main goal is to open bottles of wine or beer quickly, opt for a sommelier corkscrew. Those with little man-shaped arms allow you to pull out with force with a double lever, taking less time and effort.
If you don’t know which corkscrew to buy, keep in mind that, as the main objective, it must have characteristics that avoid unpleasant situations.
What cannot miss?
As you can see in the ranking of the best corkscrews of 2020, each self-respecting model has some functional characteristics. Of course, some peculiarities will change depending on your chosen structure, but it is important that its main task does it in the best way and maybe quickly.
If you are a sommelier, you will need to have a corkscrew always at hand; for this reason, small but functional tools will be useful.
On the other hand, if your use is purely at home, you can also play your choice on corkscrews that hook onto the wall and make the minimum effort by a fairly large lever.
It will be important that the length of the vermilion, i.e., the spiral positioned in the cap, is not excessive, as you must ensure that it has a solid and resistant handle.
The main models. In addition to the classic corkscrew you are used to, the one you have more or less at home, there are many models on the market, which we have already mentioned in the previous paragraph.
But before making any purchase, let’s see the differences between the various alternatives. Parallel to the classic corkscrew in a little man’s shape, variants such as the puller are composed of a wooden handle and a spiral.
This method will require many manual skills and strength to uncork bottles. There are also double-screw corkscrews, particularly useful for more homemade bottle openings, and double-blade ones, suitable for vintage and fragile corks.
Finally, on the market, you will also find a new type of corkscrew: the electric one, which will save you time and effort since you will have to place it on the bottle, press the button, and at a maximum of eight seconds, it will uncork independently.
Accessory elements
Whether you are a professional or love to taste wine and beer from time to time, you will know that the quality of a corkscrew is also, and above all, recognized for some essential accessories.
You will have noticed that you should remove plastic capsules on any bottle of wine (and more rarely of beer) before removing the cap.
To do this, you will need a small knife, which is already incorporated very often, especially in professional bottle openers. However, you will have to get it unless you buy a set that includes it in the package.
Another useful tip is to note spouts or small circles for opening metal caps, such as beer bottles.
The right materials
Another fundamental element in choosing the best corkscrew is the material it is made of. A tool of this kind is important because it is made of resistant and stainless parts.
Otherwise, it could break even after one use, compromising the wine’s quality since the already forced stopper would crumble more easily. It is also important that the corkscrew you choose has an ergonomic handle, not too curved or slippery.
It is recommended to opt for wooden handles, which are more functional and more elegant. Last, look for a corkscrew with a not-too-long spiral. Otherwise, you will risk that the cap releases chips.
Frequent questions
How to open a bottle of wine without a corkscrew?
A corkscrew is a handy tool; this one does not settle. It may happen that you don’t have it right away, especially during outdoor picnics.
To understand how to open a bottle of wine without a corkscrew, use a little imagination, but let’s see some ideas together. Pushing the cap into the bottle is a quick and painless method. However, you could risk sliding chips into the wine, compromising its organoleptic quality.
Another idea is to use a screw and pliers. Using light pressure, insert the screw into the cork, and turning with the pliers, pull it slowly until you hear the classic sound that announces you have succeeded in the undertaking.
Where to buy a good corkscrew?
In the digital age, almost anything is possible. Today, online stores can provide you with a wide alternative to the most common models you find in the store. If you want to buy a good corkscrew, compare our prices. You will have a wide choice and related links that will direct you to the purchase.
Usually, by typing the name of what you are looking for on the Internet, you can find it very easily. But, of course, buying it online differs from the store because, in the second case, you can try it and touch it with your hand before buying it. So, ultimately, based on your attitude, it is up to you to choose the best channel.
What advantages and disadvantages does a corkscrew have?
The main advantage of having a corkscrew is that you don’t have to force yourself to open any bottle of wine or beer. But there are various models on the market, more or less simple to use, which are not always so advantageous for everyone.
Some are more suitable for experts and professionals, such as blade corkscrews, while others could alter the wine or beer, causing some carbon dioxide to disperse.
Nonetheless, this tool will, for the most part, be useful for preserving the color, aroma, and flavor of the contents of the bottles without fully perforating the cork or plastic stopper.
How to clean a corkscrew?
Most corkscrews are made of stainless steel; some precautions must be taken so that this useful tool can last as long as possible. Small periodic maintenance, looking for any missing screws or scratches and breaks of the spiral, is a good habit.
We also advise passing a damp cloth over the corkscrew, which normally dries with oxidizable elements. In this way, you will avoid the appearance of rust.
Finally, keeping it in dry places is good because it could damage any wooden or silicone handle.
Is an electric or manual corkscrew better?
Even if the same objective is at the base, the electric and traditional ones differ. So if you love to amaze friends and relatives, an electric corkscrew is the one for you. The main models have a solid, robust body and LED lights that light up during the cap’s extraction process.
Otherwise, the traditional one is faster to use, and you can store it in any drawer instead of cluttering a kitchen countertop with a charger.
How to use a corkscrew
Using a corkscrew to open bottles of wine or beer saves time and effort. Although figuring out how to open a bottle of wine without a corkscrew doesn’t take much time but only a little creativity, the bottle opener remains a useful and fairly inexpensive tool.
Several variants are on the market, some cheaper than others, but many more traditional or modern. You will certainly have a wide choice in its purchase, but how do you use it? It is not difficult, but let’s see some useful tips together to make the most of it.
How to remove the cap
Starting from classic and more traditional models, opening a wine and beer bottle could be difficult if it is your first time. First, cut the capsule that certifies the quality of the bottle. For this operation, we recommend using a rather sharp knife to avoid greater pressure, with the risk that the bottle will slip and injure you.
Then place the vermilion or spiral in the center of the cork, turning it clockwise, but without drilling it all the way. This step is important to minimize the effort, optimize the time, and not allow chips to fall into the liquid.
When you feel the corkscrew firmly, take the bottle with one hand and use the double lever. In the case of sommelier corkscrews, or of the arms, in the shape of those in the shape of a man, remove the cap with dry shoots. If it is difficult for you, a trick is to pass the bottle’s neck under hot water and then try again.
The electronic system
Technology tries to make any operation easier: this is the case of electric corkscrews, often made without wires, which only need to be recharged on special bases.
The advantage will be not to make even the slightest effort to open a bottle, making the operation even more scenic. The use method is quite simple: you will have to lay the spiral over the cork, press the button, and wait for the operation’s end.
Usually, it will take a maximum of 8/10 seconds, but there are even faster electric corkscrews!
The Best Corkscrews for Opening Wine
If you have even looked at how many corkscrews are on the market, you will have realized the difficulty in choosing. Here is our selection of the top 10 best corkscrews for precision and value for money.
- Lever removes cork in seconds with two easy motions
- Works with natural and synthetic corks
- Die-cast zinc handle with soft, non-slip grip provides leverage for comfortable use
- UPGRADE MATERIAL - More durable and corrosion-resistant, the premium wing corkscrew is...
- ALL-IN-ONE DESIGN - The multifunctional wing corkscrew built-in bottle opener is designed...
- MECHANICAL GEAR - Keep screw stays centered of the corks and prevent slippage, open...
- Sturdy Metal - Made of solid zinc alloy with high quality construction. You will truly...
- No Cork Tear - Sharp pointed spiral goes into the cork quickly and efficiently. No need to...
- Easy To Screw - Featured with a big sleek turn handle for easy to screw. For people with...
- Corkscrew includes built in foil cutter and bottle opener
- Measures 5 in length
- Two step construction makes pulling out a cork easy
- ERGONOMIC - A sleek, wooden handle and durable stainless steel body give this tough wine...
- EASY TO USE - Our specially designed wine corkscrew effortlessly removes natural and...
- DURABLE DESIGN - The double-hinged fulcrum on this wine key for bartenders allows for...
- Rechargeable Electric Wine Bottle Opener - Easily remove corks in seconds. Compatible with...
- Easy to Use - Simply place on top of your wine bottle, press a button, and tada, your wine...
- Small Footprint Saves Space - Our electric wine bottle opener is small enough to store...
- [PREMIUM MATERIAL]: The multifunctional wine opener is made of high quality zinc alloy,...
- [MULTI-FUNCTIONAL CONSTRUCTION]: The wine bottle opener features a multi-functional design...
- [DESIGN UPGRADE]: This wine bottle opener features an ergonomic, non-slip rubber handle...
- AWARD WINNING WINE OPENER: The iconic Original Rabbit Corkscrew is the world's...
- EASY TO USE CORKSCREW: Grip handles around bottle neck and use lever to insert spiral and...
- HIGH QUALITY: Tested for 20,000 cork pulls to ensure a premium, hassle-free wine opening...
- Meet Vino, the bat - From the Design Awarded Studio OTOTO, we bring you Vino, the Bat!...
- Spook'-tacular gift for anyone - Looking for fun kitchen gadgets or housewarming gifts?...
- Take your drinks to the 'neck's' level - Drinking sessions are more fun with this cork...
- THE PERFECT WINE KEY - Where form meets function. This double-hinged waiter's corkscrew...
- DURABLE AND EASY TO USE - Our waiter's corkscrew is double-hinged for better leverage and...
- STYLISH AND FUNCTIONAL - Compact and stylish design is a hallmark of our practical...
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