08/15/05 Monday question - corkscrews

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran and today we are answering questions from the email. Recently a listener wrote with a question that is often asked "What is the best type of corkscrew for me to buy?" Join me today as we discuss some of the most popular tools for opening your bottle of Vino. There are many styles of cork pullers to choose from and it takes a bit of practice no matter which style you select. I really think that the most common wine opener ; the one that seems to be in the drawer of anyone's house, is the one with those big arms that stick up as you screw the auger into the cork  then you pull the arms down and the cork is pulled up and out of the bottle. It works just fine and it doesn't take too long to master. Another opener that many people are fond of is the Ah-So. It has a handle and two long thin promgs. The prongs slide down between the cork and inside the glass of the neck of the bottle. It takes awhile to master but it keeps the cork intact, if for some strange reason you need to seal up an unfinished bottle. Honestly I have yet to master the Ah So myself. My favorite is the waiter's cork pull. Before buying one examine it carefully. Be certain that the auger, the spiral part that goes into the cork, is nice and long and thin. If it is tephlon coated that is a bonus. Ideally the knife used to cut the foil is serrated, it tends to stay sharper and do a better job. There are many more styles of openers but my advice is to keep it simple and if you practice on a bottle of wine every night. You'll figure it out, or go to screw caps, because I know you don't want to go thirsty. Remember to send your wine question to Linda at vine to wine dot net and thanks for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.