Corkscrews

An essential tool for all wine lovers is the corkscrew. Without it, we'd be stymied. Essentially most corkscrews consist of the spiral (or worm), shaft, and handle, yet innovation continues, with new models introduced every year.

What should you look for? Expert advice is that the spiral should be hollow and not have a solid core - the solid-core worms often just chew up older or softer corks. It should also allow for at least 5cm of penetration since corks can vary dramatically in length. The lever varies from the very simple Waiter's Friend example, which hooks over the lip of the bottle, to the two-stage "pull tap" or Carraca. Did you know that it takes a pull equivalent to lifting 50kg to extract a cork?

After that it's generally a matter of ergonomics - how the handle fits your palm, comfort, ease of use and appearance.

(Visit www.corkscrew.com for more information.)

 

Executive Waiter's Friend
An entry-level opener, it has a simple, straight handle, open helix and one-stage pull lever with a serrated blade in the handle. It does everything you need it to do and
can handle heaps of bottles - hence the name Waiter's Friend. Negative: if the spiral or helix is inserted a touch off-centre, the lever can slip off the lip. It can also lead to long corks breaking because of extreme flexing.

Score: 6/10
o Approx Price: R30

Boomerang Waiter's Friend
The extendable 4-wheel foil cutter theoretically cuts the capsule in just half a turn. When used frequently (as WINE's cutters are…) these wheels can become blunt and the extension arms floppy, but admittedly that's not a problem the domestic user is likely to encounter. It has a one-stage level pull and, unless held onto the lip of the bottle, can slip.

Practical and easy to use, it gets 7/10
o Approx Price: R45

laguiole sommelier
These come with a lifetime guarantee. Antler horn handle, smooth short blade, open worm and one stage lever. Simple and efficient, it's a classic.

Scores 7/10
o Price: R837 (including leather case).
o Available from WINE magazine - 021 530 3167.

Screwpull ModÈle professionnel
This is for the serious wine enthusiast who wants to expend the minimum effort. It looks daunting but is deceptively simple. Open the levers, close them around the neck, pull the handle down, pull it up and open the levers. The handle punches the spiral into the cork and zips it out of the bottle in one smooth stroke. It even makes removing the cork from the spiral child's play - just pull the handle down and up and it pops right off!

A delight to use, it scores a 9/10
o Price: R890 available from Le Creuset at Cavendish Square - 021 671 9550.
o Alternative: EzPull corkscrew available at Cock & Bull outlets nationwide for around R250 or at specialist retailers.

Ergotec Waiter's Friend
Only point of difference to the Boomerang is that it also offers a serrated blade, which is handy when faced with a "Mondavi lip", or flanged bottle. Foil cutters are also useless on waxed bottles of wine where the serrated blade comes into its own. Also a one-stage lever. Again, simple and practical. The blade is handy but it might also result in confiscation by airport security…

Another 7/10 o Approx Price: R50
Double lever winged corkscrew
How many kitchen drawers have one of these tucked away? Easy to use but needs both hands to lever the cork out. The worms in these are often solid, not hollow, chewing corks as a result. Does the job but there are better options.

Scores 5/10
o Price: R26,99 Available at most supermarkets.

Double action pulltap Waiter's Friend
Essentially the same as the basic entry-level model except for the ergonomics. It fits the palm better and has a two-stage lever action that takes care of the slipping lip thing and cork breaking, as you never overextend.

Score: 8/10
o Approx Price: R40

Boomerang X-tend
The only elements that differentiate this from the standard Boomerang opener are its soft-touch matt finish, which translates into a silky feel, and the pivot motion of the lever.

Ease of operation is the same as the Boomerang and it too gets a 7/10.
o No price is available as this was a prototype/demonstration model.

Double action carraca waiter's friend
A compact design, this corkscrew is a neat package. It's shorter, curved to fit the palm nicely and offers a two-stage level pull action. It has its own serrated blade as well as ergonomic finger rests.

Score: 8/10 o Approx Price: R40
o Alternative: an unhinged two-stage opener called PullPlus is available from Wine Accessories for R68, which includes VAT, packaging and postage. Call 021 761 7273.

Screwpull Pocket model
Design is really nifty but it would take a large pocket to fit into... It's somewhat unwieldy when compared to the waiter's friend, for example. It too has a blade (not serrated) that doubles as a crown cap opener. It consists of three pieces that pack together neatly as illustrated and assembly is simple: just fit the handle onto the top and start spinning it like a helicopter blade. A plus is that it has a wonderfully long and open worm but a minus is that getting the cork off is a pain.

Score: 5/10
o It costs R179 and is available from Le Creuset at Cavendish Square - 021 671 9550.

All corkscrews supplied by Sterling Promotions unless otherwise stated. Call 021 592 3060.