Let's Twist Again
The Age
Saturday November 12, 1994
Uncorking bottles with a flourish is simple with the right equipment.
The Corkscrew is a common household tool that invariably gets lost in the drawer, but where would we be without it? Developed in the mid- 17th century, the corkscrew, or bottlescrew as it wa s called originally, has appeared in many designs, employing a number of methods, all aimed at removing the cork as effortlessly as possible.
Some of today's favourites are: 1. The Lever Model screwpull (left, inset) by Le Creuset. Seen as the Rolls-Royce of corkscrews, this is an absolute dream to use, and will cost about $350 from Jacobus, Double Bay, NSW. Ju st hold the bottle in the clamps and the cork is removed, simply by levering the handle.
Main picture, clockwise from left: 2. For the collector, an early 20th century example by Perille, a famous French corkscrew maker, has a double-action mechanism that automatically reverses on itself when the collar of the c orkscrew comes to rest on the bottle, extracting the cork without any pressure or pulling action required. About $450 from The Art of Wine and Food, Woollahra, NSW.
3. Restaurant etiquette dictates the use of the Waiter's Friend but it is a loyal companion in domestic situations as well. It's probably not the easiest tool to manipulate at first but onc e you master the screw-and-lever action, this is a very useful and reliable corkscrew.
It also has a built-in knife. About $4.95 from liquor and department stores and selected gift shops.
4. The wing-style corkscrew is one many people feel comfortable using.
It provides good leverage which is great on tough corks and is good for people with hand problems. About $15.95 from T he Wine Society, Woolloomooloo, NSW, (members only), liquor and department stores and selected gift shops.
5. The Table Model screwpull by Le Creuset is a favourite with many.
The secret of its success and ease of use is the Teflon coating on the very sharp screw, which also makes it good for ol d corks. Very little manipulation of the bottle or corkscrew is required; a continuous screwing action causes the cork to climb up and out of the bottle without any pulling. It costs $34.95 fr om liquor and department stores and selected gift shops.
6. The Lazyfish corkscrew by Bacchanal, England, looks like a fish when extended. It is a 1920s design with a spring-loaded mechanism operated by the screw-and-pull action. Turning the ``fis h tail" clockwise causes the screw to glide easily into the cork. Once the collar of the corkscrew comes to rest on the bottle, just pull the tail and the leverage mechanism extends to extract the cork. From Gabriel Gate Cookware Shop, Hawthorn, Victoria, and Remo, Sydney, NSW; about $49.95.
7. Designed in Germany, the Monopol requires perseverance and strength but once mastered, it is a well-respected tool. It is especially good on fragile corks and a great advantage is its ab ility to recork the bottle. It is operated by inserting the two springs on either side of the cork; a simultaneous twisting and pulling action removes the cork, and replaces it. From The Bay T ree, Woollahra, NSW; $24.90.
8. The Rondel corkscrews (foreground and centre), New Zealand-designed and made in copper and polished and anodised aluminium, successfully combine beauty and function. This type uses the s crew-and-pull action and when not in use sits proudly in its stand. Small copper Rondel, $92.50; large anodised Rondel, $122.50. Stockist inquiries to Jarass, Ultimo, NSW.
Just for openers: corkscrews for all occasions and every pocket.
© 1994 The Age
