OXO Corkscrew

Product Information

Wine key: Also known as a waiter's corkscrew. It's typically double hinged and contains a foil cutter and handle on one side, a screw in the middle, and two notched pieces on the other side. To use it, open up both sides and insert the screw. Bring the side with the notched pieces down vertically and push the top piece inwards to rest on the lip of the bottle. Pull the handle on the other side to bring the cork out halfway. The notched piece should provide enough leverage. Once there's enough space, switch to and move the bottom notched piece to the lip of the bottle and continue pulling the handle to completely remove the cork. Featuring stainless steel construction and a comfortable, textured grip, the Rabbit Vertical Lever Corkscrew makes removing corks easy with a single pulling motion. This Pulltap option is a workhorse of a wine key. Designed with professionals in mind, the hinged double-lever system and serrated knife blade make it a breeze to open bottles with both long and short corks. “The two-step construction means you rarely break a cork,” adds Rutherford. “I have had the same one for at least ten years, and it has never done wrong by me." Additionally, we consulted with sommeliers and beverage directors to get recommendations for the best corkscrews, plus a few expert tips on how to properly open wine bottles. You don't need something fancy to open a bottle of wine. Sommeliers, winemakers, and beverage directors all told us that a double-hinged wine key (also known as a waiter's corkscrew) is the best kind of wine opener. It provides excellent leverage and also comes with a small blade to cut the foil off your bottle. "The classic double-hinged waiter's corkscrew is the gold standard that people should master. It is probably one of the most common types in the wine world," said Peter Mondavi, Jr., co-proprietor of Charles Krug Winery in Napa Valley.

For wine enthusiasts, it’s a great way to do comparative tastings or enjoy just a taste of a specific wine without committing to a full bottle. While the initial price is hefty, note that it allows you to work through more special bottles without opening the full thing. (Though, the cost of refilling canisters can get pricey.) If your wine-drinking situations are more everyday and straightforward, then this expensive product isn't for you.Lever corkscrew: A wine opener with a lever on one side. To use it, insert the screw, then squeeze the bottom of the opener and pull the lever upwards to remove the cork. You can't enjoy a good bottle of wine without a trusty wine opener. Some wine openers break after just a couple uses, some require too much strength, and others simply take up too much space. That's why we asked the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute for their personal recommendations and favorites. This functions very well as a hinged waiter's style corkscrew, but without some of the moving pieces that broke down on the last one that I loved. The "hinge" is more of a pop-out feature inside (rather than outside) the handle, making it a little less likely to get banged around in a drawer, cooler, etc. The handle has that good OXO texture, making it easy to grip and use. While electric wine openers aren’t necessarily a go-to for serious oenophiles, they do have their moments, especially for those who might otherwise struggle to remove a cork. Electric wine openers are also perfect for anyone who just isn’t comfortable with a wine key, lever system, winged corkscrew, or other manual tool. Plus, they're fast, easy, rechargeable (if not battery-powered), and often come with a display base and an accessory or two. Fold the opener down and place the lower of the double-jointed metal arms on the edge of the bottle. Use that leverage to get the cork about halfway out of the bottle.

If you’re looking for a classic waiter’s corkscrew, we recommend this sturdy OXO Steel Double Lever Waiter’s Corkscrew. Compact and easy to store or carry with you anyplace (picnic, anyone?), this stainless steel corkscrew has a balanced hand feel and a comfortable, nonslip silicone grip. And it has a longer lever than the other waiter’s friend-style openers we looked at, giving you more leverage and an easier time opening tougher bottles. The best budget corkscrew: Pulltap Wine Essentials Waiter’s Friend Double Lever Corkscrew | Buy nowWho is it for? People who have difficulty with twisting motions, but are also concerned about their environmental impact. Ease of use: Is the model ergonomically sound? Does it feel comfortable in the hand? How difficult is the setup process? Richard Vayda, Director of Wine Studies at the Institute of Culinary Education, is particularly fond of the waiter's corkscrew. “As you learn right away as a wine steward, these corkscrews are easily portable and generally very reliable openers.” He adds, "Unlike many other openers, they also sport a knife to cut the capsule on the bottle and usually a crown bottle opener for those moments where you must have a beer.” Slim in profile and easier to transport, the Le Creuset Waiter’s Friend certainly does the job, but we found the OXO model to work just a bit more efficiently and comfortably. Take it slow and be firm with it. "Good old careful muscle is the best way to get out a stubborn cork," said Jordan Salcito, founder of wine brand Ramona and former beverage director at Momofuku.

If you’re looking for a foolproof lever-style wine opener without any manual stress or labor, consider the Rabbit. This also makes for one hell of a gift for that wine lover in your life.During our extensive real-world tests, we evaluated the form, function, durability of components, and features of a total of 13 manual and electric corkscrews, including winged and lever-style models. Our testing process included opening bottles of wine by cutting the foil, uncorking, and removing the cork. Our selections are based on the following metrics: ease of use, comfort, performance, and value. The screw placement is also important. It needs to be centered and deep in the cork. "I hold the screw at an angle to the bottle and poke the tip into the cork and then move the screw vertical before screwing it in," said Mondavi, Jr. Lever corkscrew: Simply push down and pull up with this wine opener. It requires a bit of arm strength, but the two-motion mechanism is attractive to those who want a seamless experience.