Winged Corkscrew: This classic corkscrew design uses a pair of “wings” that raise as you twist the screw into the cork. Once the screw has a firm grasp, you simply push both wings downwards, and both screw and cork pop out. Generally very cheap but less compact than the waiter’s friend, this is an affordable at-home staple. We really appreciated the aesthetics of the Laguiole en Aubrac, and the way that it felt solid and substantial in the hand, but we did note that the hinges are a bit tight. We also felt that the bulk makes it slightly hard to maneuver, especially for someone with smaller hands. That said, we agree that a pricey bottle of wine deserves special attention, and this glamorous corkscrew certainly feels special.

The best waiter’s corkscrew versions are the variations with a hinged leg or boot lever, or alternately, models with two boot levers,” says Vayda. “This allows you to start at the hinge or smaller leg and finish opening with the entire lever, giving more leverage at the beginning of the process." There isn't an easy answer to this per se, but you're more likely to find corks in older vintages of wine. But that being said, just because a wine has a screw cap, it doesn't mean it's poor quality and that you should steer clear of purchasing it. There are plenty of great wines being made with screw caps.A foil cutter would be a nice addition, but outside of that detail, it’s a reliable, fail-safe, entry-level option that helps you easily remove a cork without breaking it. Additionally, we consulted with sommeliers and beverage directors to get recommendations for the best corkscrews, plus a few expert tips on how to properly open wine bottles. Key specs – Material: titanium; Accessories: foil cutter, aerator, dated bottle stop; Electric: yes, rechargeable Take it slow and be firm with it. "Good old careful muscle is the best way to get out a stubborn cork," said Jordan Salcito, founder of wine brand Ramona and former beverage director at Momofuku. Who is it for? Those who need a bit of assistance removing stubborn corks from bottles and don’t mind paying a premium. How much should I spend?

HiCoup Wine Bottle Opener and Barvivo Professional Waiters Corkscrew: The HiCoup and Barvivo look identical, and might come from the same factory. While handsome, with a hefty weight, they have the same flaw: It’s really easy to push the upper fulcrum into the cork, gouging the cork as it lifts out of the wine bottle. When I finally wore down my favorite, just a simple hinged waiter's corkscrew, I decided to get this OXO version. We like OXO here in my house and own plenty of their gadgets. There are countless varieties of wine opening tools, with widely different designs and functionality. Which one you choose comes down to how much wine you drink (and thus how often you’re likely to use it), how comfortable and experienced you are with opening bottles and how easy it is to store. There are good options for any budget regardless of which type of opener you use. The most unique feature is the built-in, removable foil cutter. You place it on top of the bottle and twist to pierce the foil. It reattaches to the base of the corkscrew when you want to store it. Foil cutters are nice to have but not strictly necessary, so we like that it's not an extra accessory you have to hunt for. Lever-style corkscrews are another smart alternative to traditional wine keys for wine drinkers who just prefer an easier means of opening a bottle of wine. This type of tool is generally made up of two long clamps that secure around the base of a bottle’s mouth, with the corkscrew attached to a single lever that drives the screw downward into the cork at the ideal angle.A wine key is that other tool that is just so essential to us as bartenders,” says Rochelle Tougas, general manager of FM Kitchen & Bar in Houston. “This is my favorite wine key I’ve ever owned."

The best corkscrews are an essential item for any good dinner party host. A lot of the best wine is sealed with a cork, as it allows the wine to age naturally without becoming sour. To enjoy these naturally aged wines, however, you will of course need a good corkscrew – the last thing you want is to ruin your evening by shredding the cork into the wine below. If you’re looking for a classic waiter’s corkscrew, we recommend this sturdy OXO Steel Double Lever Waiter’s Corkscrew. Compact and easy to store or carry with you anyplace (picnic, anyone?), this stainless steel corkscrew has a balanced hand feel and a comfortable, nonslip silicone grip. And it has a longer lever than the other waiter’s friend-style openers we looked at, giving you more leverage and an easier time opening tougher bottles. Foil cutter: A utensil used to cut the foil off the top of a wine bottle. It can come in the form of a small serrated knife, or as a circular accessory that has two blades. For the latter, you place the accessory over the top of the bottle, squeeze, and turn it to cut through the foil. Lever corkscrew: A wine opener with a lever on one side. To use it, insert the screw, then squeeze the bottom of the opener and pull the lever upwards to remove the cork.Who is it for? People who have difficulty with twisting motions, but are also concerned about their environmental impact. If you’re looking for a foolproof lever-style wine opener without any manual stress or labor, consider the Rabbit. This also makes for one hell of a gift for that wine lover in your life. The foil knife is my only complaint - while it is very visually appealing, it's a little too curved for my taste and I find it awkward to flip out and use as easily as a straight blade. Electric wine openers take the guesswork out of opening a nicer bottle of wine. If you’re a collector or you’re gifting a wine collector, a more expensive yet reliable electric wine opener is the best option. While electric openers require a charge, a simple press of a button is all that’s required physically to uncork a nicer bottle you’ve been saving.