by Nick on August 27, 2011
Carbon dioxide wine opener, it’s easier than using any type of corkscrew so they say, but there are some downsides to this product, the kind of downsides that form a very steep incline in usability of the device. I have used a Cork pops original, the small plastic one which comes with so many colors, can’t say I was entirely satisfied with it, and I wonder if this Cork Pops Legacy would be a better buy than the original.
Cork Pops Legacy
The first test I put this device through right after the box, was to see if it could open 1.5 liter bottles or anything above 750ml, to my dissatisfaction it does not. It’s not the openers fault, it is a case of the canisters being too small, a larger canister would provide adequate pressure to send a 750ml bottle right off the cork and a 1.5 liter bottle smoothly of its own, but I guess the company which made this was thinking about the hazards of an over powered opener being used on a small bottle.
The Cork Pops Legacy is sturdier and safer looking than the original one; this at least has its needle between two guards, so no accidents with this one. The button on the top is nothing troublesome, just a simple push to get the air out.
The canisters this uses are obviously the expensive carbon dioxide canisters that are sold by cork pops; they are definitely monopolizing the market with these things. The canisters don’t last long, although it says 60 bottles, you could expect at about only 40 being entirely uncorked before it runs dry. And also to point out clearly just in case some of you haven’t seen the review I made about the original, a burst of carbon dioxide does not affect the qualities of your wine, as carbon dioxide does not diffuse well into liquids (ah ha! I have done my studies you see!)
I still use this opener when I feel like it, especially when I am feeling entirely lazy to manually open a bottle, or go down to the cellar to visit my table top opener. So get this Cork Pops Legacy Wine Opener for those who love gadgets and are not fond of large bottles of wine.
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by Nick on August 25, 2011
An electric wine opener, sometimes I have even considered to write a letter to Ozeri just to let them know that their electric openers are gorgeous to look at, but can’t open a wine bottle as reliably as rabbits and sommeliers, even if you have been on your knees for 40 days praying that it would. Now they have the Ozeri Pro, for professionals I assume?
Ozeri Pro Electric Wine Bottle Opener
A friend of mine had this model and said that the manufacturers placed a timer in it so that the device would break after any possibility of returning the device for a new one was over. I was entirely shocked to hear this and decided to investigate, but it was a foiled investigation as mine did not come with a warranty, oh the small details which we seem to leave out.
Anyway the Ozeri Pro looks fabulous as usual, perched on its recharging base, looks may be deceiving, and this one has definitely shifted my attention away from its usability, but not for long as it was time to put it to the test. I handed my trusty sidekick (my wife, if she were to see this I would certainly have it handed out to me) a bottle of venture pinot noir, she began stripping the foil with the cutter that was snuggled at the top of the charging stand.
Foil removed, she proceeded to place the opener on top of the bottle with a push of the button the cordless opener began to emit a motorized sound, and before long the cork was removed.
Alright then enough with the Dick Tracy plot line, the wine opener actually works well, it may struggle once a while but it works. The battery that this thing uses last far longer than any that I have had before. Sadly this thing did not last, after a few dozen bottles, it decided to lose its strength.
Just when I thought I was going to have a way of opening wine bottles when my aging hands have lost all their strength, it decides to fail, so I guess the search continues for another more reliable electronic opener. But if you are a person who doesn’t open bottles every week then this Ozeri Pro Electric Wine Opener would be the right one for you.
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This is the other version of the Screwpull Pocket Model Corkscrew, with only one difference – the handle. The Screwpull Table Model Corkscrew is an affordable, basic corkscrew with a good design to avoid pulling and breaking corks.
Screwpull Table Model Corkscrew
Quality in Disguise
This wine opener doesn’t look cool at all. On the contrary, it looks and feel flimsy. But it works beautifully getting the corks out! That’s because Screwpull designed it to need no pulling or rough handling during operation.
All you need to do is to fit this corkscrew wine opener over the bottle until the little ledge that stops it from going deeper, then turn the handle. Smooth, coated worm ensure effortless insertion and no broken bits of cork in the wine. Keep on turning the handle in one direction and the cork is out before you know it.
Good for Elderly Hands
Isn’t that easy? You just have to turn the handle around and there’s no pulling involved whatsoever. Anyone can use this Screwpull Table Model Corkscrew, even elderly people with arthritic hands. Slow and steady does it.
Lasts a Long Time, but No Plastic Corks
This is one of those super long lasting models with few parts to break, but those who break it are usually trying it on plastic or synthetic corks. The dense and sticky plastic corks grips the worm too tightly and breaks the worm.
Like I said, this Screwpull Table Model Corkscrew is similar to the pocket model, and the price is the same. Which one should you get? Other reviewers have mentioned that the pocket model is slightly more compact for storage. Other than that, I’d say just think about how you would like the handle. For the pocket model, you can turn the handle using one finger, going round and round without stopping, but this table model feels steadier with a centered lever.
If you still can’t decide, buy both of them and see which one you like. The other one can always be given away as a gift since it’s so inexpensive, and don’t feel bad about it because even if you didn’t prefer that one, doesn’t mean the other person won’t like it. Click here to get it: Screwpull Table Model Corkscrew
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Surprisingly, this plastic wine opener with a light feel to it can last really long. The Screwpull name seems to attach quality to even the simplest of its wine openers. This Screwpull Pocket Model Corkscrew is a lightweight and compact wine opener you can bring anywhere.
Screwpull Pocket Model Corkscrew
Compact and Portable
This corkscrew wine opener is compact and doesn’t take up much room in the kitchen drawer. Though named a “pocket model”, it is slightly large for the pocket. But it’s small enough to be portable in a bag.
Opens Bottles Easily, but Not Fast
The Screwpull Pocket Model Corkscrew is easier to use than waiter corkscrews; all you do is turn the handle around in one direction until the cork pops out. The worm is coated so it glides smoothly into the cork as you turn the handle, so no broken corks! Be careful not to open plastic or synthetic corks with this though, it’s not strong enough to pierce all the way through and might damage the worm.
This wine opener doesn’t need much hand strength except to hold it steady over the bottle but it doesn’t exactly open bottles fast. If you’re looking for “fast” as well as “easy”, go for the Best Rabbit Wine Opener instead.
Very Affordable, and Lasts
This corkscrew doesn’t cost a bomb; it’s one of those cheaper models, being plastic and all. Many of the reviewers at Amazon were people who bought it for the second time because the first one broke after ten years or more.
“I received this corkscrew in green about 15 years ago, and it has not given us one bit of trouble in all that time…I came on the website today, to get a new one, in anticipation of its eventual demise. I couldn’t bear the thought of opening wine without it.” - C. Meehan, reviewer at Amazon.
Buy the Screwpull Pocket Model Corkscrew if you are looking for a compact, affordable, and easy to use corkscrew. It’s great as a gift as well.
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I’m not fooling you but this is the best rabbit wine opener ever! Metrokane Vertical Rabbit Lever Style Corkscrew looks like a very simple and elegant black rabbit head with die cast chrome plated lever, but it does a lot more than look good. It opens wine bottles in a blink of the eye and you don’t even have to yank. Ok, I lie, it’s two blinks instead of one.
Metrokane Vertical Rabbit Lever Style Corkscrew with Foil Cutter
Super Easy to Use
You open bottles with this rabbit only by lowering and lifting that silver lever. What? Let’s be more specific with the details: you put the rabbit over the bottle with the lever up, hold it steady, then lower the lever for the corkscrew to go into the cork (it’s done by gears, you don’t have to use “gorilla strength”, as one reviewer puts it), then lift the lever up again and the cork is out!
I know some of you are going to correct me by saying you should cut off the foil first, that’s what the foil cutter is for. Yes, of course, you can do that. But according to one David Jeske, a reviewer at Amazon for the Metrokane Vertical Rabbit Lever Style Corkscrew, he has been pulling off corks through the foil with no exception yet.
Ejecting the cork from the rabbit wine opener is just as easy. Take the rabbit away from the bottle, juggle the lever between up and down position until the cork falls out.
Saves Time and Works with Plastic Corks
You can practically open a bottle in 3 seconds flat, how cool is that. Other people claims that it works with plastic corks too, though I’ve never tried. This is definitely the best rabbit wine opener I would recommend to any wine lover who can afford it.
It’s not as expensive as the Screwpull Elegance, but it’s not a cheap corkscrew either. For slightly less than $50 you get the Metrokane Vertical Rabbit Lever Style Corkscrew with Foil Cutter in a case with foil cutter, extra worm, and 10 year warranty. Worth it? I think yes. Click the link to get it now while free shipping is still available.
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If you’re shrinking away from the Screwpull Elegance because of its price but don’t feel like getting those ten-dollar corkscrews, try the Vacu Vin Winemaster Corkscrew. It’s about half the price of the Elegance, simple to use and needs little strength.
Vacu Vin WineMaster Corkscrew
Lightweight and Simple
This wine opener is lighter than most lever style wine openers, despite the fact that it is rather large in size. It is very easy to use once you know the correct steps. The Vacu Vin Winemaster Corkscrew comes with a foil cutter that can be attached to its top. After cutting the foil, just place the opener over the bottle with all handles up.
The opener will grip the bottle and then you push down the small handles, push down the big handles, then pull all handles back up. Voila! The cork is out!
Using Both Hands and Less Strength
This kind of wine opener delegates the strength needed to both hands, so you need less strength for each hand to open a bottle. Perfect for those who have less hand strength.
But note that since this kind of wine opener has a fitting part over the bottle, it is not suitable for bottles that are not the standard size. If you often need to open super flange bottles, either buy another type of wine opener or keep a second type at hand.
Plastic Parts
A few reviewers have complained that the plastic part on top the Vacu Vin Winemaster Corkscrew that holds the foil cutter breaks too easily. So if it breaks you will end up with no convenient place to keep the foil cutter. This will not affect the function of bottle opening, but it could be a nuisance if the foil cutter gets lost.
If you can live with the plastic part, this wine opener is a keeper. Check out the price here and grab it while the free shipping offer lasts: Vacu Vin WineMaster Corkscrew
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Don’t want to use the slightest bit of hand strength to open a wine bottle? An electric wine opener will help you get the cork out effortlessly, and the Oster 4207 Electric Wine-Bottle Opener is the best yet.
Oster 4207 Electric Wine-Bottle Opener
Best for People Who Lacks Hand Strength
This wine opener is shaped like a tube and comes with a charging base and foil cutter. To open a bottle of wine, use the foil cutter to open the seal, then place the wine opener over the opening of the bottle. Hold it straight and press the button. In a few seconds, the cork is out! Then you just press the button again and the cork will be ejected from the inside of the wine opener.
It’s very easy to use and as long as you keep it straight and steady, the corks will come out clean. No more broken bits of cork in the wine or half a cork left in the bottle.
Few Disadvantages
There are only a couple of concerns for this wine opener. The Oster 4207 Electric Wine-Bottle Opener is rather large together with its base so if you don’t have the counter space for this you might want to put the base away when you’re not charging it and just leave the wine opener tube around.
Another thing is that this is an electrical appliance, not a solid metal-made tool, so don’t complain if it doesn’t last as many years as you would like it to. But the best thing is, it is not expensive.
Perfect as a Gift
At the affordable price, this Oster 4207 Electric Wine-Bottle Opener can be a very nice gift for wine lovers. A couple of reviewers have been helpful to post video reviews on Amazon, so that you can see how it works. Click the link to check it out.
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It has been quite some time since I have seen a large towering table top wine opener like this Rogar Estate Wine Opener Set, and as usual I expect them to look as elegant as they would when they are perched by the sides of a table, or on their own stand. These openers are meant to be in the kitchen or in the cellar, not something I am entirely interested in carrying around, not because its heavy but mainly because I fear of causing any damage onto them.
Rogar Estate Wine Opener
As the name suggests this Rogar Estate Wine Opener Set is for those who own an estate, you might be thinking that at that price even one who barely owns a cellar could afford to buy one, well it is not a case of price, but rather the size of the opener itself.
It comes with a wooden base, made of hardwood; it looks particularly stunning atop my Amazon rosewood table especially when that table is situated next to a wine rack made with Bolivian “Pau Ferro”. The neck (or backbone) of the set is made of metal, so the hard wood base and the metal piece are what make up the stand for the opener itself.
The opener, crafted designs on a piece of metal, this beauty can only be experienced firsthand; words would not do justice at all. The part that connects the opener to the neck is adjustable, you can remove the opener and clip it onto any other surface which you were to deem suitable.
The handle is also made of metal with a wooden grip, the same hardwood as the base; all of these add up to one large and beautiful wine opener. A tight clamp can be found at the bottom tip of the opener, also engraved with beautiful designs this is definitely something to show off.
The mechanics are entirely simple; clamp the bare (foil removed) bottle with the clamp at the bottom of the opener, pull the large handle down towards you and your bottle is opened, all in a single effortless motion. Push the handle back to instantly re-cork your bottle.
I definitely recommend those who are serious about their wine to purchase one of these Rogar Estate Wine Opener Set, do not settle for cheap plastic ones either, buy a piece of elegance from Rogar, for the price it is definitely worth it.
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by Nick on March 21, 2011
Gifting something like a wine opener can be a tedious chore indeed, with the selection of numerous good openers you are clearly looking for one which would not be re-gifted, or unappreciated. Obviously there are a few aspects to keep in mind when purchasing something as a gift, and a wine opener, combine these two aspects and you get a perfectly presentable wine opener.
They may say it’s the thought that counts, but how do you wrap a thought? And how do you use it? So to leave you with a better understanding on what is acceptable and what is not, I have sorted out a few of the most important things to keep in mind when purchasing a wine opener.
Tip 1. Size
Imagine carrying around a large space consuming piece of equipment which is just to be used as a wine opener, in this day and age the bigger is not definitely the better. Anything which is cumbersome and might be more of a burden than a blessing is definitely out of the list, unless the person who you are gifting this large wine opener to happens to own a vineyard and a wine cellar, then a model like the Estate Wine Opener Set would be a good choice. But if your friend merely enjoys wine and does not have much space in his house then go for something small, like a sommelier knife in a pretty box.
Tip 2. Reliability
Giving someone something which would break the minute he or she uses and it would not leave a good remark on your name, nor will it show how honest you are at gifting. Strong and reliable openers are definitely sommelier knives. Something like the ones from Pedrini would work well, or go all out with something expensive like Laguiole which comes in a wonderful box.
Tip 3. Usability
Consider the person who is going to be using the opener, if it is someone with a weak arm or who does not have the technique to handle classic waiter’s knives then you should get them an easy to handle opener or an electric one. The best manual opener would be the Metrokane Rabbit. Selecting a good electric one is quite difficult, but so far through my experience I would recommend the Oster 4207 Electric Wine-Bottle Opener. There are even video reviews to show how it works, just hope the person whom you give this to is internet savvy.
Tip 4. Looks
The looks of the opener and packaging itself would be a reason to give it. The receiver of this gift might not know much about wine openers and so giving them one that looks dashing would definitely get them excited. Also remember that the packaging should not be cheap looking.
Tip 5. Extras
The extras of a wine opener will definitely keep the receiver entertained. Consider something which has numerous gadgets in them, like a foil cutter or replacement cork. In fact, go for a full set if you manage to afford one. A good multipurpose wine opener which I use just because of its gadgets would be the Ozeri Maestro Electric Wine Opener as this opener comes with a fancy infrared thermometer.
So if you keep these tips in mind you are certain to get something that would suit as a gift to someone. Let’s hope that the person enjoys the gift and remembers your consideration.
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by Nick on March 18, 2011
Gifting a bottle alone during a wedding or any occasion which calls for a well aged bottle to be gifted would not look good at all. There aren’t many ways you can decorate a bottle, so giving it off with a few other related and complimentary gifts is a great idea. This is called a wine basket; of course the main focus is a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, or any other wine.
So here I will be giving you ideas on how to create a wonderful wine basket and the things which should be inside it.
Step1. Size of container or basket
The size is the first step, this will determine how much can be placed inside. Pick a container with a tall exterior, this will stop you’re the things which are to be placed inside them from falling out. This will also reduce the required amount of material used to hold the bottles and gifts in place.
Step 2. Select a theme
The theme is a crucial marking as to what should be included into your basket. Of course the theme itself starts from the basket, if you were to choose a regular straw or wood basket then the selected theme is definitely vintage Italian, this goes well with a bunch of grapes, some select chocolate bars with complimenting colors, Italian made wine with preferably contrasting labels (if the bottle is dark then it should have a colorful bright label, with a little bit of gold) and a wine opener which incorporates a little bit of wood or vintage styling to it.
If you were to choose glass or plastic then that would give you a Techno modern look to it, a darker bottle with a dark label, mints, candy, chocolate and prunes with complimenting colors, and an electronic wine opener would work perfectly well.
Also consider the preferences of the person who you are gifting too, age and ethnicity are just a few things to incorporate.
Step3. Arrangement
It would be easy to just toss everything into the basket and wrap it all up, but the thing about wine baskets is that the insides are meant to be seen, it would be wise to keep the ones which you wish to highlight in an upright order. The first things to go into the wine basket would be the fillers; these are like napkins and anything soft for the bottles and gifts to rest on.
Next place the wine bottles or bottles in the middle of the basket, these are usually the heaviest and keeping them at the sides would lead to disaster, they can be slanted sideways but ensure that they are sticking out. Next arrange the chocolates or sweets around the wine bottles, make sure the tall ones are behind the bottles and the ones which are in front do not block the label.
Step 4. Decorations
After having all the gifts placed securely in the basket, think about adding some decorations, some flowers, a ribbon or even a card, anything that you can think of, just make sure that you secure them all down. I would recommend using a ribbon, not just as decoration but also to keep your gifts from flying everywhere, use it to tie down the tall wine bottles.
Step5. This is not a step, but a reminder that it all depends on you
There is no definite way to create an extravagantly beautiful wine basket, it all depends on your creativity, don’t depend on the ideas of others, get busy with your own ideas and everything should work out fine.
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