There are hundreds of different corkscrews, but none matches the extraordinary Rabbit. With 31 different moving parts, this modern, black wine opener is an engineering feat built for speed. But ordinary enophiles don't need to understand the mechanics to appreciate the pulling power of this little bunny. It overpowers the most stubborn, dried-out natural corks and synthetic closures with a user-friendly design. Close the "ears" over the neck of the bottle, and then raise and lower the lever just once. Lickety-split, the opener removes and ejects the cork without any effort on your part. This high-tech tool comes with a handy foilcutter and comes in an attractive padded gift case.
Corkscrews
Sabatier Laguiole Opener Set, Stainless Steel
This handsome corkscrew and bottle opener set by Sabatier will travel wherever you do. Legend has it that an innkeeper's son in the small French town of Laguiole invented this style of folding knife in the early 1800s. Now manufactured in Thiers, France, the two pieces have been streamlined into one of the most space-efficient and attractive traveling opener sets we've seen. (There's even a small steel-cut bee decorating the bolster, which is based on the Imperial emblem of Napoleon the First.) With this set in your pocket or picnic basket you can open a bottle of beer, sparkling water, or wine without a fuss. Sabatier has been making fine cutlery in France for more than 150 years and their experience is evident here. Wipe down with a soft cloth to clean.
Metrokane Rabbit Corkscrew with Foilcutter
There are hundreds of different corkscrews, but none matches the extraordinary Rabbit. With 31 different moving parts, this modern, black wine opener is an engineering feat built for speed. But ordinary enophiles don't need to understand the mechanics to appreciate the pulling power of this little bunny. It overpowers the most stubborn, dried-out natural corks and synthetic closures with a user-friendly design. Close the "ears" over the neck of the bottle, and then raise and lower the lever just once. Lickety-split, the opener removes and ejects the cork without any effort on your part. This high-tech tool comes with a handy foilcutter and comes in an attractive padded gift case.
Metrokane Rabbit Wine Opener Gift Set, Silver
A great gift for a wine lover, this powerful tool effortlessly extracts the cork from any wine bottle in 3 seconds with a simple lever action. Handles with comfortable rubberized padding easily clamp onto a bottle's neck; the lever drives the tough worm into the cork with a push and then pulls the cork out cleanly with a simple pull. Releasing the cork involves the same action, only with the handles clamped onto the cork. Ruggedly constructed of polycarbonate and reinforced nylon, the cork puller has the heft of a fine, precise high-tech tool and comes by its name, Rabbit, because it resembles a bunny's head. It regularly wins design awards for looks and effectiveness.
Screwpull Lever Model Wine Opener Giftset
Equipped with a newly designed, long-lasting screw, this famous lever-action cork puller can now open 2,000 bottles of wine uninterrupted (meaning you don't need to replace the screw). That alone makes this a great gift for wine enthusiasts. But the great-gift factor ratchets up because the wine opener comes in a handsome black case as part of a set with Screwpull's foil cutter. Operating the wine opener is a kick. Swing the lever open, grip the bottleneck with the handles, swing the lever closed, and watch the screw penetrate the cork. Now take the lever back to the open position, and the cork comes out of the bottle. As an added flourish, you can use the handles to grip the cork while you swing the lever open again, pulling the Teflon-coated screw from the cork and softly into the operator's hand. This tool is precisely engineered, and comes with a two-year warranty against defects.
Oneida Wing Corkscrew
Wing-style corkscrews make pulling corks about as foolproof as possible. If you haven't used one of these before, here's how they work: place this attractive stainless-steel corkscrew from Oneida over the cork (after cutting away the foil around the top of the bottle) and turn the loop at the top--the wings rise up as the corkscrew sinks into the cork. Once the wings are pointing straight up, lever them down to withdraw the cork. The cork comes out straight, so there's almost no risk it will--horrors--break. For the beer and pop drinkers, the loop at the top also functions as a bottle opener.
OXO Good Grips Cork Pull
No more tugging, no more pulling, no more aching, red-marked hands. This cork pull allows easy turning of its soft, comfortable knob. Once the nonstick screw is anchored in the cork, simply continue turning the knob in the same direction to lift the cork from the neck of the bottle. It's suitable for any size bottle, and the clear plastic lets you watch as the cork pull does its work. Constructed of die-cast zinc with a nickel plate finish, the cork pull is as durable and strong as it is easy.
Screwpull 2-Piece Table Model Wine Opener Giftset
Forget struggling with your corkscrew, hoping you won't break the cork or drop the bottle. Give this wine opener set a try and you'll be amazed at how easily the cork slips out. You can open a new bottle without someone offering to give you a hand or having to hide in the kitchen swearing under your breath. Put that paring knife away and run the foil cutter around the top of the bottle to remove the foil with ease. Then place the plastic guide over the neck. Balance the corkscrew on top and begin to turn clockwise. Keep turning until the cork lifts itself right out of the bottle. How easy was that? It's true this is a gift set, but I like to buy myself presents.
Vacu Vin Winemaster Corkscrew
It's another wonder of modern technology from the folks at Vacu Vin: this corkscrew stands head and shoulders above any similar model. The tiny foil cutter stores in the top of the machine--just pop it out, squeeze gently over the top of the foil, and the foil falls right off. Next, insert the cork into the bottom of the Winemaster, with all four handles in the upright position. The corkscrew inserts itself when you pull the two smaller handles down, and you lift the cork by pulling the two larger handles. The last step: just raise all four handles again to pull out the cork--no yanking or twisting necessary! For the occasional extra-long cork, you may need to perform the steps twice--but it's still far easier than other corkscrews. You'll want to open wine just as an excuse to show off this cool gadget. Tell guests they only get to play if they bring their own bottle!
OXO Good Grips Waiter's Corkscrew
This handy little invention is small enough to slip into your pocket or tuck in a picnic basket. First and foremost a sturdy and reliable stainless-steel corkscrew, this versatile tool also boasts a foil cutter and bottle opener--like a Swiss Army Knife for beverages. The soft nonslip rubber body stays firmly in your hand, wet or dry, and as are all Good Grips products, it's dishwasher-safe.
Oneida Waiter's Corkscrew
This handsome, hand-polished stainless-steel waiter's corkscrew is a compact, all-in-one tool for home entertaining that fits easily into a pocket. Folded, it measures a little more than 4 inches long, but it's plenty big and sturdy enough to pop wine corks and de-cap bottles. Unlike most wing-style corkscrews, this one also has a folding foil-cutter blade for prepping the bottle before opening. On the flip side, getting the hang of the lever action for pulling corks does take a little practice, but the result has its own rewards. Salute!
Pedrini Corkscrew
Sleek Italian style and heavy-duty, rugged construction distinguish this handsome, highly effective tool, which removes corks effortlessly from both traditional and flange-style bottles. The spiral is coated in nonstick to penetrate corks easily and the finish is contemporary brushed chrome to look great on the bar or with any table setting. The corkscrew stores on a hardwood base so it's readily at hand and doesn't have to be tossed into a cluttered drawer. It stands 7-1/2 inches high.
Other Openers
Screwpull Champagne Star
If only the French make true champagne, it's only natural that the French company Le Creuset has designed a champagne opener extraordinaire. This compact tool slips into the notches left in the cork after the wire cage is removed. One little twist and the cork slides out of the bottle--under the control of the star, it can't go flying out of control. For New Year's or wedding celebrations, or for the connoisseur who knows that there's always reason to celebrate, the champagne star is an essential accouterment.
