How does a corkscrew work?

A wine opener works on a simple principle: a spiral corkscrew is twisted into the cork and then pulls it out. But the way this latter part works differs greatly depending on the type of wine opener. A sommelier knife works differently than a wing corkscrew, and an electric wine opener works differently than a vacuum pump. Anyone who understands how their wine opener works will open a bottle of wine faster, easier, and without damaging the cork.

The basic components of a wine opener

Most wine openers have the same basic components. The corkscrew, also called a worm or spiral, is the part that is screwed into the cork. A good corkscrew has an open spiral with five to six turns and a sharp point. A spiral that is too thin will tear the cork. A spiral that is too thick will not fit well into the cork and will make pulling more difficult.

In addition to the corkscrew, many wine openers have a mechanism that helps with pulling out the cork. This mechanism differs by type and largely determines how easy the wine opener is to use.

The sommelier knife: the classic wine opener

The sommelier knife, also known as a waiter's corkscrew or couteau sommelier, is the most commonly used wine opener in the hospitality industry. It is compact, lightweight, and fits in a pocket. A sommelier knife has three parts: a foil cutter to remove the capsule from the bottle, a corkscrew, and a lever that rests on the rim of the bottle to pull out the cork.

The technique for using a sommelier knife requires some practice. You twist the corkscrew into the cork, place the lever on the rim of the bottle, and use it as a pivot point to move the cork upward. A two-step sommelier knife has two notches in the lever, which allows the cork to be pulled out in two steps and requires less force.

Mémoire offers several versions of the sommelier knife, including the Couteau Sommelier made of rosewood, the Couteau Sommelier made of black pakka wood, and versions in resin and solid stainless steel. View the complete overview in the wine opener collection.

The wing corkscrew: easy for beginners

The wing corkscrew is recognizable by its two arms that go up when you twist the corkscrew into the cork. When the corkscrew is fully in the cork, you press the two arms down and the cork comes up. The mechanism works on the basis of gears that convert the downward movement of the arms into an upward movement of the cork.

The wing corkscrew is easy to use and requires little technique or strength. A disadvantage is that the corkscrew of many cheaper wing corkscrews is too thick and can tear the cork. Choose a model with a thin, open spiral for the best result.

The two-piece wine opener: minimal force required

A two-piece wine opener, also called an Élitaire or double-lever wine opener, works with two lever mechanisms that pull the cork out of the bottle in two movements. You place the opener on the bottle, push the top part down to bore the corkscrew into the cork, and then pull the top part up to extract the cork. Everything happens in one fluid motion without having to remove the opener from the bottle.

This type of wine opener requires virtually no force and is therefore suitable for those who have difficulty opening wine bottles. The Mémoire Élitaire two-piece wine opener works on this principle and opens a bottle of wine in a few seconds.

The electric wine opener: fully automatic

You place an electric wine opener on the bottle and press a button. The opener automatically drills the corkscrew into the cork and then pulls it out, without you having to exert any force. With a second press of the button, the cork is removed from the corkscrew.

Electric wine openers run on batteries or are rechargeable. They are easy to use but have the disadvantage that they require maintenance and need to be replaced when the battery fails. For daily use by those who regularly drink wine, they are a convenient option.

The Deux Dents wine opener: a different principle

The Deux Dents wine opener works without a corkscrew. Instead, it has two thin, flexible prongs that you slide between the cork and the bottle neck. By twisting the opener and pulling it up, the cork comes out without being pierced. This is useful for old, brittle corks that can tear or break with a normal corkscrew.

The Mémoire Deux Dents wine opener works on this principle. It is compact, easy to carry, and particularly suitable for old wines where the cork is fragile.

Which wine opener is the easiest to use?

That depends on your preference and how often you open wine. For those who open a bottle of wine occasionally and have little experience with a sommelier knife, a two-piece wine opener or an electric wine opener is the easiest choice. For those who open wine regularly and are accustomed to a sommelier knife, that is precisely the fastest and most practical option. The sommelier knife is compact, durable, and has a built-in foil cutter in addition to the corkscrew.

How to remove the foil before opening?

Before you insert the corkscrew into the cork, remove the foil or capsule that covers the neck of the bottle. Most sommelier knives have a built-in foil cutter. Cut the foil just below the ring at the bottom of the bottle and remove the top part. This keeps the bottle looking neat and prevents wine from leaking along the foil when pouring.

View the complete wine opener collection from Mémoire for an overview of all available models, from classic sommelier knives to the Deux Dents and the Élitaire two-piece wine opener. Also, check out the accessories collection for additional wine accessories.