There are three common types of cork removers for wine bottles: the T-shaped corkscrew, the lever model, and the pronged grip. All can be found at retail and kitchen stores.
Even in our age of screw caps on just about everything, good bottles of wine still tend to come with a cork. To open the bottle and allow the wine to breathe before serving, you need a cork remover. There are actually several types of cork pullers that you can choose to use for opening wine bottles and other containers sealed with a cork stopper. Here are descriptions of the three most common forms of cork remover, including tips on where to buy them.
Perhaps the simplest type of cork remover is a version that is often referred to as a “T” corkscrew. Created specifically to work with traditional corks, the T-shaped corkscrew is so named because of its shape. A horizontal handle is coupled with a vertical pointed spiral. The spiral comes to a sharp point at the end. Removing the cork from a wine bottle is accomplished by twisting the spiral in the wine cork until it fits tightly. Holding the bottle firmly in one hand, use the handle to pull up with the other hand. This will release the cork from the bottle. Often, the T-handle corkscrew has a sturdy wooden handle, while stainless steel is used for the spiral.
The second type of cork remover is somewhat similar in function, but looks very different. The spiral with the pointed end is still there, but instead of a handle, this model of cork remover uses two levers. When the spiral is screwed into the cork, the two levers move from a vertical position parallel on both sides of the spiral to a horizontal position. When both levers are fully horizontal, use one or both hands to return them to their original position. When the levers return to the vertical position, the spiral removes the cork from the bottle mouth.
A third popular option for a cork remover focuses more on gripping the cork. With a horizontal handle that has two metal prongs that are spaced about the diameter of the inside of the bottle’s mouth, the idea is to grip the cork while it’s still in the bottle. The two metal prongs are thin enough to fit between the inner lip of the bottle and the cork. Use the handle to slide the prongs all the way around the cap, loosening it from the inside wall of the neck. After a couple of revolutions, the friction will allow the cork to be gripped by the prongs and slide out of the bottle with great ease.
Many people prefer to use a spiral cork remover, simply because there seems to be less chance of leaving some wine cork remnants in the wine bottles when removing the cork. However, anyone who uses this type of cork remover regularly will soon be able to pull corks out without leaving any residue in the wine.
All three types of cork extractors can be easily purchased at retail stores, kitchen stores, and often supermarkets. The cost can range from cheap to expensive, depending on the materials used to create the cork remover. From a simple kind all the way up to elaborate mechanisms, finding a cork remover that will get the job done and also fit your aesthetic desires is relatively easy to accomplish.
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