If one of your first thoughts when you’re uncorking a bottle of wine is “oh no,” we get it. Bottle openers can be unwieldy, and using them often results in broken corks or—even worse—crumbled bits landing in your wine. But finding a corkscrew that does exactly what you want it to with little effort can erase any doubts when you’re reaching for your next bottle. Here’s what some top wine pros recommend to get the job done.
Pro Tips: How To Buy the Best Waiter’s Corkscrew
Wine pro Molly Matelski explains what she looks for in a traditional waiter’s corkscrew.
- Sharp, slightly curved blade for a clean cut.
- A two-hinged system in which the “lip” is…
- Flat, solid and not too rounded, so it grips the glass securely instead of slipping.
- Not overly curved, which can prevent proper contact with the rim.
- Appropriately sized, so that in both steps you can “walk” the cork out in two stages without tearing it or forcing the motion.
The 5 Best Wine Openers, According to the Pros
Paolo Baraldi: Coravin Timeless System
Hospitality Manager · Sansonina Winery / Zenato Winery · Veneto, Italy
“I’m not sure it can be strictly defined as a corkscrew, but the Coravin system is certainly an invaluable tool for the work we do in the cellar during our guided tastings. It allows us to serve single glasses without compromising the wine’s organoleptic qualities, preserving the integrity of our top-tier labels even several days after opening,” he said.
“As an alternative, we rely on the Pulltap’s Classic corkscrew. In its simplicity, it offers a clean and precise opening—it’s a favourite that never goes out of style.”
Timeless Three+ System
coravin
It sounds stranger than fiction, but is true: with Coravin, you can now pour wine without pulling the cork. It uses a precision-engineered needle and 100% pure argon gas to replace the wine with an inert, food-safe gas, which shields the remaining wine from oxygenating and allows it to continue aging naturally.
Roxan Bourdelais: Pulltap’s Classic Corkscrew
Co-owner and Dining Room Manager · Tanière3· Quebec, Canada
“My favourite is still a good old Pulltap’s. Starting at $10, the brand’s corkscrews are tough to beat for their efficiency and durability. When I was a head sommelier, I used to open around 500 bottles a week. My Pulltap’s would last the entire year. Tip: To avoid breaking corks, always turn the screw to the end before pulling,” he said.
Classic 500 Corkscrew
Pulltap's
Pulltap’s handy pocket-sized bottle opener has been a best-seller since 1996, and for good reason. The patented double hinge lever ensures quick and effortless uncorking, plus the spiral is made of stainless steel with a non-stick coating to minimize any risks of trencament.
Molly Matelski: OXO Vertical Lever Corkscrew
Director of Buyer Relations, Programming and Partnerships · Vinitaly / Co-founder and President · Mmmm…Enjoy. Wines · Chicago, U.S.A
“In most cases, I prefer the classic waiter’s double-hinged corkscrew. Only in rare situations—when dealing with a very old bottle of wine, for example—I might use another method that requires more precision and care,” she said.
“When hosting a big party, during which I’ll be opening several bottles of wine and utility and efficiency are most important, I’ll use a steel vertical-lever corkscrew with a removable foil cutter— OXO [has one]. Finally, if I’m by myself or I don’t think we can finish a bottle by the next day, I’ll use the Coravin system, which keeps the wine fresh for several months.”
Vertical Lever Corkscrew
OXO
In just two easy motions, this wine opener from OXO will smoothly remove corks from your favourite bottles. With an integrated foil cutter and even an extra non-stick screw, this will be a great multi-purpose tool for your bar cart.
Quentin Mereu: The Durand
Manager and Sommelier · Restaurant Lucie · Toronto, Canada
“The perfect wine opener, with 99 percent success, is The Durand. It’s considered amazing, especially by wine collectors and sommeliers, because it solves a very specific and frustrating problem: safely removing old, fragile corks from vintage wine bottles without breaking them,” he said.
“Just point the centre of the cork with the corkscrew and go all the way in. Then remove The Durand delicately. If you feel that the cork is fragile, go a little deeper with the corkscrew and finish the extraction delicately.”
The Durand
The DuraND
If you’re a fan of vintage wines, but always afraid of the cork crumbling into the bottle, then you need this wine opener. The design of the Durand combines the best features of a corkscrew and an ah-so opener, ensuring that even the most fragile corks will be removed intact.
Elina Dakanali: Forge de Laguiole Sommelier Knife
Wine Director · Canaves Collection · Oía, Greece
“I always carry a small Pulltap’s in my pocket—you never know when you’re going to need to open a bottle of wine, and it is very reliable. At home, I use a heavier French-made Laguiole bottle opener. I bought it almost a decade ago, and I love it,” she said.
Original Sommelier Knife
Forge de Laguiole
This elegant corkscrew was created in collaboration with professional sommeliers and is handmade in France. The spiral features five turns, which even works to remove delicate corks from vintage wines. Then there’s the super reliable lever, which is cast from sturdy heavy metal.
