Corkscrews
Corkscrews are tools for safely opening cork-sealed bottles. Simple corkscrews consist of a metal spindle or a coiled, thin metal rod with a pointed end. A T-handle combines both the turning and the pulling functionality in one simple tool.
The free space in the middle of the helix is called the core. This prevents the cork from crumbling or just drilling a hole into the cork without a firm fit.
IMPORTANT: When uncorking, always make sure that the underside of the cork is not pierced so that no pieces of cork end up in the wine!
There are various forms of corkscrews available:
T-Corkscrew: This is the simple version described above consisting of just a spindle and a handle in a T-shaped design.
This turning mechanism is often integrated into other tools, for example in a waiter's knife alongside bottle openers and foil cutters.
Table or wall corkscrew: Corkscrews for fixed mounting are mostly found in professional working environments. They are available in different variants, either for table or wall mounting, and are suitable for uncorking a large number of bottles in a short time. With these corkscrews, the bottle is pressed against the device from below while a lever is operated. This drills the spindle into the cork, which is then removed when the lever is pulled back.
Lever corkscrew: The lever corkscrew uses the same mechanics as the mounted devices, but in the form of a hand-held device. For this, one hand is used to fix the opener to the bottle while the other hand operates the lever.
Winged corkscrew: These handheld devices make for a particularly easy handling. First, the ring is placed on the opening of the bottle. Then the spindle is turned into the cork by turning a key which also lifts the two levers of the corkscrew like wings. By manually pushing the levers down, the cork is pulled out of the bottle.
The somewhat rarer scissor corkscrew works in a similar way.
The following corkscrew models are also found less frequently:
Positive pressure corkscrews use a hollow needle and pressurized gas or an air pump to force the cork out of the bottle from the inside.
Bell corkscrews are similar to winged corkscrews, but use a switchable thread or helix that automatically twists the cork out.
Spring tongue corkscrews consist of two thin steel blades of different lengths, which are inserted into the bottle on opposing sides of the cork. With rocking movements, the cork can be pulled from the bottle under tension. Unlike all other models, these corkscrews are also suitable for putting the cork back in the bottle.
