Corks can break and crumble on old wines, or when a clunky corkscrew causes a problem. Unfortunately this often leads people to panic: Oh no! My wine is ruined! It’s corked!

Don’t stress. If the cork breaks in half and the remaining half is stil intact, simply give it another go and see if you can extract the rest. If the cork has completely crumbled, the best thing to do is to push the pieces into the bottle so they don’t block the neck. Most likely, the wine won’t be harmed by the cork. Pour the wine and give it a smell to look for off-aromas.  If the cork is tainted, the wine smells musty, like wet newspaper, or it has no smell. In this case, you’ll have to discard the bottle. If the wine smells fine, just ignore those pesky cork pieces and pull them out as you pour.

Having a great corkscrew and a humidity-controlled wine cellar (to keep the corks moist) are two great defendants against broken corks. We offer a wide assortment of corkscrews, wine cellars, and wine refrigerators, so you never have to deal with broken corks!

Much like shopping for any style of corkscrew, the level of craftsmanship will determine a lever-style corkscrew’s ability to extract the cork…as well as its price. All lever style corkscrews function the same way, but levers made from a heavier, more durable material, will extract all corks more easily. Models made from polycarbon require a bit more force than other models and may not be strong enough for use with synthetic corks which require stronger leverage. You may want to check out Wine Enthusiast’s own value-priced Concorde Lever Style Corkscrew, recently recommended by Cook’s Illustrated.

The latest craze in lever-style models is the vertical or horizontal design option. Traditionally, lever style corkscrews had wings that operated perpendicular to the wine bottle. But now, these newer models have upright wings that are tucked into the sides, allowing for a more compact design and even better ease-of-use. The sleek, Screwpull LM-400 and the Vertical Rabbits are two great examples.

No matter which  model you select, a lever style corkscrew will  make uncorking a breeze. Not sure how to use a lever style corkscrew? Check out our quick video tutorial with a Rabbit corkscrew, which brings the lever style corkscrew to life!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Higher-end, corkscrews, (like Laguiole Corkscrews) are crafted of stainless steel with handles made in everything from stag horn to olive wood, and more. The basic functionality is the same but a Laguiole will be more durable and stylish. More affordable waiter’s corkscrews are typically made of an ionized plastic, and cost around $10.

Both work, but when comparing the action of the two, you will find that a more high-end corkscrew will open the wine in a smoother fashion, and feel better in your hands. Assuming you treat your wines with care, you probably want to take care in how you open them, and invest in a nice corkscrew.

After you’ve made your decision to purchase a waiter’s style corkscrew, you‘ll now need insight into how to extract that pesky cork. Watch as a member of our team, Josh Farrell, shows you in this live video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

1. Waiter Style: Perhaps the most widely used corkscrew today, the waiter style is great for its convenience and light weight. A small lip on the corkscrew allows the user leverage from the top of the bottle while lifting up the handle. A waiter style corkscrew user will open the worm of the corkscrew (squiggly metal part) so that it separates from the handle. Hold the top of the handle and press into the cork while twisting the worm down into it. Once you’ve turned as far as you can, push the wing down so that it grips the top of the bottle. Hold the bottle in place and lift up the handle to pull the cork straight up out of the bottle. Try our elegant Laguiole models.
 
 
 
 
 

2. Lever Style: This style of corkscrew is great because it requires very little strength and it is very efficient. A durable lever style corkscrew will make opening bottles of wine easier than you’ve ever imagined. When using a lever you’ll want to position it so that the worm of the corkscrew is just above the cork, with the lever on top. Squeeze the wings on the sides together while lifting the lever until the corkscrew pops out of the bottle. That’s it! Try our rapid Rabbit corkscrews.
 
 
 
 
 

3. Twist Style: Somewhere in between the size of a Waiter and a Lever style corkscrew is a basic, twist style. These can be kept on their stand at home or taken with you on-the-go. With a twist style you place the worm directly on top of the cork with the frame of the corkscrew on either side of the bottle neck. Twist the handle so that the worm goes into the cork. As you twist, the cork will be brought up towards you. Try the classic, Screwpull model.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4. Pump Style: Last but not least, the pump style corkscrew opens bottles with ease using pressurized, inert gas. Push the needle through the cork then push the CO2 cartridge and the cork will pop out! A fun trick for impressing friends. Try the Cork Pops Legacy.

What’s your corkscrew preference and why? Leave us a comment, and let us know!