If you’ve ever had the pleasure of watching a sommelier’s wine service, you’ve witnessed the choreographed dance of opening a bottle under pressure — potentially in more ways than one. While the choice of wine key might seem like an inconsequential detail, the tool itself can make the difference between elegant dining experience or disaster.
To help those of us at home streamline our drinking accessories, VinePair reached out to wine industry pros across the country — who have, collectively, opened thousands of bottles — to recommend the best wine opener for the job. Below, sommeliers from Santa Monica to Indianapolis share their tried-and-true wine key picks.
Monopol Westmark Steel Two Prong Wine Opener A Two-Prong Wine Opener is an investment for collectors and enthusiasts, as well as sommeliers. This is a type of corkscrew that is perfect to open older wine bottles with fragile corks. This ensures one can enjoy a glass of wine without struggling with the cork bits.
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“At Infinite Monkey, we operate with no vineyard and no pretense, making this no-fuss solution from CB2 [brushed gold bottle opener] our go-to behind the bar and at home. It’s ideal for our taproom since it opens cans as well as bottles. I always have one stashed in my pocket for easy access.” —Quinn Woodhouse, Lead Bartender, The Infinite Monkey Theorem Urban Winery, Denver (Donate: Women’s Wine Guild of Colorado)
To help those of us at home streamline our drinking accessories, VinePair reached out to wine industry pros across the country — who have, collectively, opened thousands of bottles — to recommend the best wine opener for the job. Below, sommeliers from Santa Monica to Indianapolis share their tried-and-true wine key picks.
“My favorite wine opener is The Durand, available through the Rare Wine Co. It’s designed with older bottles in mind, gently removing the cork from its sides and center at the same time. For old corks that are disintegrating, it’s pretty foolproof. I use it anytime I have a cork that is fragile or suspect — usually bottles 10 years or older. The last thing I opened with it was a 1994 Cornas from Auguste Clappe. I started buying wine when I was 25, when access to wine was very different, and now find myself drinking a lot of older bottles. I think it’s important to taste wines that have aged — you get insight into what might happen with the wines that you’re producing right now.” —Jay Boberg, Co-founder, Nicolas-Jay, Willamette Valley, Ore.
“Through the years of working as a bartender and trying many brands, I tend to opt for Pulltap’s double-hinged corkscrew. There are certainly fancier wood-handled, shinier options available, but for me, Pulltap’s has always been reliable, sturdy, and affordable. I usually need to replace my wine key twice per year.” —Arielle Natale, Bar Manager, Elaia Estiatorio, Bridgehampton, N.Y.
“The Durand: It’s indispensable for old bottles. If you enjoy wines with age on them, you know the unique pain of old corks. It’s a particular kind of fear that only increases as a table of guests or friends watch as you struggle to save an old wine from itself. Regardless of provenance, old corks can be difficult (sometimes impossible) to pull out cleanly, often crumbling and leaving residue in the wine. As someone who opens a great many bottles each year, I rely heavily on the Durand and wouldn’t dream of attending dinners without it.” —Walker Strangis, Founder, Walker Wine Co., Los Angeles
Every Wine Tool a Sommelier Uses | World Of Wine | Bon Appétit
FAQ
What wine opener do sommeliers use?
What tool does a sommelier use?
What is the most popular type of wine opener among professionals?
What is the best corkscrew for vintage wine?
What is your favorite sommelier wine key?
“My absolute favorite is the Coutale ‘Sommelier’ Wine Key because it has a double-hinge and the all-important flat knife. It cuts foils really cleanly and gets the cork out in one easy gesture.” —Marianna Caldwell, Assistant General Manager and Sommelier, Cassia, Santa Monica, Calif. (Donate: The United Sommeliers Foundation)
Which wine opener should I buy?
“My go-to wine opener is always the Pocket by Coutale Sommelier. It’s an extension of my hand at this point! The knife stays sharp the longest, the screw is the perfect width and goes into cork smoothly, and the double-hinge is sturdy but flexible at the same time.
What tools do you need for wine service?
Having a decent blade on your wine key ensures that you can cut the foil off of the bottle in two quick cuts. A functional tool overall is all that is needed for efficient and proper wine service. The one we use in the restaurant is from Winebow Imports. The knife is wonderful with the foil, and it’s an easy cork grabber.
Does a wine key make a difference?
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of watching a sommelier’s wine service, you’ve witnessed the choreographed dance of opening a bottle under pressure — potentially in more ways than one. While the choice of wine key might seem like an inconsequential detail, the tool itself can make the difference between elegant dining experience or disaster.