I’m a waiter with a WSET 2, in Greece, working at a small taverna. The wine variety is actually pretty good and we do manage to sell manny bottles throughout the season. Since I’m the only one in the restaurant with a little knowledge on the wine, I open and serve most of the bottles (especially to the more demanding customers).
I do however find a hard time trying to cut the foil, and I think it’s because of the somewhat old and misused corkscrews they have had since forever.
Can you people please recommend some better ones (if there actually are some specific ones i should look out for)?
by Thick_Response_3485
34 Comments
Gitko. The best.
The ones you have ARE the best, yours are just old.
I’d ask your distributor (not sure if that’s a thing over there) or whomever you get the wine from for more. They should have some you can get for free. Ask for a box of them. Discard as needed.
for cheap and reliable, i recommend the Coutale Sommelier Innovation. Total workhorse, costs around 10€ and feels really smooth. Buy 5 and you are sorted for a year or two (depending on how fat you loose yours lol)
These corkscrews are fine, they are also (borderline) a consumable. After a few thousand bottles they don’t work as well as before, at which point they should be replaced by new ones and relegated to the emergency drawer.
Blades indeed often dull long before the screw itself bends or becomes otherwise more annoying to use. Since you’re struggling with foils specifically, consider getting a foil cutter. It’ll cost €5 or so and it’s often easier to use as well as producing neater results than the blade on the back of a corkscrew.
Note that expensive corkscrews often feature the same or similar parts, but the handle is made from a fancy wood or some such. Their practical utility is rarely greater than buying however many Pulltaps you can buy for the same amount of money and keep switching them out.
Of course pulltaps are always good idea (genuine, not knockoffs), but I started using Ligne W when my forever cheap corckscrew bent.
Handling is specific. I find it better, but I read people saying that it’s not so nice if You have to open 50 or 100 bottles in the row.
I have Ligne W Origine (it has handle from wine barell wood, it’s more a gimmick, but it’s very pretty and handy) and L’essentiel which is cheaper. I find Origine a little bit better fiting my hand, but there really is no difference beside look.
I personally love Le Creuset corkscrews — they’re simple, high-quality, and beautifully designed. For around 40 euros, you’ll have it for a long time
All you need is an ah-so.
I also use these most of the time as a sommelier because no need for more expensive ones. But like you said the knife sucks after some use. I kind of sharpen my tip from time to time at the back of s plate and it helps a lot. There are some other “giftet” ones with better blades but these have a thicker helix so i stick with these pulltabs.
Frankly, I am of the mindset that the foil doesn’t belong on the bottles at all in service. With the exception of certain wines like the the Italian DOCG stuff that puts a label around the base of the capsule, I just nick the bottom of the capsule with the blade and rip the whole thing off.
I like the hicoup corkscrews which are basically the same as the cortale. I got another one recently which is much more substantial, need to try it more to make a judgment though.
If it’s just about cutting the foil, get a foil cutter. The corkscrew itself usually holds up for quite a while, unless you accidentally bend the screw.
I don’t like the pulltaps ones personally . For a similarly priced one check out the Murano Waiter’s friend. I’ve been using them for years and like them.
If you have a bit more money the Prestige Coutale or Hicoup ones are good and look nice. The Grunwerg Classic waiters knife also good
I splurged on a nicer one and I like it a lot. Looks like they might not sell it anymore but there are others that are similar.
https://a.co/d/61zwXwg
I use a Pulltex waiters friend with a push-tab 2nd step. Has a curved blade too.
The tabbed step saves it from wear of shifting (and additonal fidgeting in my case) and the curved blade makes it easier to cut around the bottle hooking it with just the tip.
I’ve seen them as low as like $15->€10-ish but that’s also what I paid in America
Durand for Woodbridge
If you want something nice and special I can recommend a sommelier knife from laguiole en aubrac but it will set you back 200-500€ but other, MUCH MUCH cheaper ones will also do the job just as good
Hi-Coup make this style but more durable, better action, more ergonomic, better aesthetics and they are still relatively affordable.
You may need to find a style you prefer. I do not use those round head wine keys because knife is a pain in the ass. Figure out what you like and combine it all. Im a sommelier and i open hundreds of bottles a day, I go through keys like candy at a parade.
The ones I used (in order) that I stuck with are the hi coup keys. They ended up being bulky in the end and I like the knife but the serrations were a little too fine. I found a better tab system too. Coutale (my favorite but they are more expensive 20$ give or take), and either rabbit or houdini make an exact copy of the coutale one i like but for half the price just slightly more janky production and not quite as good materials.
This is the coutale one
https://shop.winefolly.com/products/coutale-corkscrew?variant=39779216162885&country=US¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=pmax&utm_id=18267938812&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=18267938812&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw–K_BhB5EiwAuwYoyr_LkdFkLx-gKOBUW5M_B45dw6e7u4PQPQT87iPYt-9fozGHhu3Q0xoCuX4QAvD_BwE
Oh look winefolly is selling branded ones. The knife is by far the best designed I’ve ever used and treats the foil the best. The shape of the knife is my absolute must have on a wine key, it doesnt tear the foil and the angle on the blade makes it really easy to pull top of the foil off (especially when behind the bar and speed is a priority over somming tableside. They have a coated worm that sinks into cork really well. It’s smaller and comfy to use. The tabs for pulling the cork are perfect imo too.
Or just go to a winery/tasting and get a free one
[The HiCoup waiter’s corkscrew](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MSXW15E) has been my go-to for years. I have several of them (tucked into samples bags and events kits) and have never had a problem with them. I also have a few [Rabbit foil cutters](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001V2BD2) for when I’m in a hurry (event or time-crunched tasting appointment).
I like my barvivo
Laguillole
I swear by Murano.
I have a drawer full of backups, including Pulltaps and Le Creuset, but I still only work the floor with a Murano and an Ah So for older bottles.
Murano all the way! Once you start using one it’s hard to go back, designed for a smooth 1 hand movement along all parts in such an easy way. Blades are sharp, I just switched to a new one after 18 months and around 3000 bottles opened up as the blade started getting dull (my bad used to open cardboard boxes).
Code 38 if u want to be fancy, but Murano and Durand is pretty much all you need to open almost anything and everything
These should be fine. Hit up your local restaurant supply store and get these for like $2-$3 each
Double hinged are the best for opening wine, usually. I wish they made them sturdier.
I use a Cartailler Deluc. Really slim and discreet. Its only a single hinge though, so it takes some getting use to, but the blade is great.
Check out pineapple wine keys on Amazon (if they’re available where you are) Vinvoli also makes a good one. Look for one that looks like a chubbier/heavier duty looking version of what you’re already using. I’ve been using one like the vinvoli one in the below picture for a couple years and the hinge is tight as day one.
Vinvoli Professional Waiters Corkscrew – Multi-Functional 3-in-1 Cork Screw Bottle Opener – Wine Key With Wine Foil Cutter https://a.co/d/6GfWK3q
I also stand by these. Apart for really old wines. Actually in my opinion, the ones I own the longest and have probably opened hundreds if not thousands of bottles are still the best..
Code38 😉
I bought a nicer one made in France (nothing crazy, like 60 €). It broke after <50 bottles and so did its replacement. It also offered no extra benefits besides looking nice. Best to see them as a consumable item imo.
Nop! You own the best there is.
Code 38
Γεια σου έλληνα ! Είναι μια χαρά τα ανοιχτήρια σου. Ίσως χρειαστεί απλά να τα ανανεώσεις. Προτείνω ένα foil cutter. Κοστίζει κάτω από 10 ευρώ και με έχει γλιτώσει πολλές ώρες προσπάθειας να κόψω την κάψουλα με ακατάλληλα μαχαίρια ανοιχτηριων