Cork puller

It is hard to imagine a world without wine. Since the standards of commercial production were introduced it was necessary to invent a device to draw the cork closure from the bottle.

It has been suggested that the basic corkscrew, with the helix screw and wooden handle, was modelled after the musketeer’s gun worm, which was used to withdraw discharged bullets that remained in musket barrels. The earliest recorded reference to this type of corkscrew goes back to the late 16th century and a version of this simple, foolproof device, is still commonly used today.

Karl Weinke, invented the sommelier knife in 1882, with a design similar to that of a folding pocketknife. The short blade allowed you to remove the metal foil and the lever had two levels, allowing the helix to grasp the cork without applying too much pressure on the lip of the bottle. Today, this style of opener is the go-to tool for wine service professionals and is commonly available for purchase at the wineries and speciality wine shops.

In 1939, the wing corkscrew was invented. Its easy-to-use mechanism quickly became a favoured tool for home use. The design applied equal pressure on the lip of a wine bottle, making it less likely to chip. This tool did not have a built-in knife so an extra tool was required. Today, they are usually equipped with a built-in capsule opener, but not on my favorite corkscrew.

The most inventive cork puller is the Butler’s Friend, which is a twin prong puller, allowing you extract a cork without damaging it. This technique is done by inserting the prongs between the cork and the bottle, then carefully rotating the cork out of the bottle. It is called the Butler’s Friend, because it allows you to extract the cork, which remains intact, take a sip or two of the contents, then reinsert the cork with the device.

THIS WEEK’S PICK
This week, I tasted the newly released, 2011, estate-grown, Chenin Blanc ($27), from by Chadsey’s Cairns. The vineyards of by Chadsey’s Cairns benefit from their proximity to lake Ontario as well as their unique terroir.

The origin of Chenin Blanc is France’s Loire Valley. While Chenin Blanc has certainly proven an affinity to The County, what remains in question is the necessary heat units to create wines that reflect their origins. In the case of by Chadsey’s Cairns, their unique terroir gives a expression of fresh pear aromas with a palate combination of pear, almonds and bright, yet subtle lime on the finish. Grab some fresh Raspberry Point oysters and enjoy a bottle (or two) with friends, watching the sunset.