In Cheaper By the Dozen 2 (the biggest Oscar snub of 2005), there’s a scene in which Tom Baker, played by Steve Martin, is in the middle of an intense game of tennis against Jimmy Murtaugh, played by Eugene Levy. Tom, the fun-loving dad to the titular dozen, loses the game miserably and blames his defeat on his worn-down tennis shoes, which were covered with duct tape after a mouse chewed them apart. Jimmy responds: “A poor workman blames his tools, Tom.”
I think of that scene every time I attempt to use a waiter’s corkscrew to open a bottle of wine. I insist that it’s the cheap, unfussy corkscrew that’s to blame for my broken corks and near-shattered bottles when in fact, it’s just me. The best sommeliers in the world use the pocket-sized wine opener with the ease and grace of an Olympic figure skater while I sweat profusely and hope no one at my dinner parties (ah, the good ole days) is watching.
I’ve come to terms with the fact that maybe I am not a great workman…but I also deserve good tools. To remedy this reality, I found the best wine openers—from double-hinged style corkscrews to electric wine openers—for any bottle of vino.
1. Food52 Shop Pick: Peugeot Baltaz Lever Corkscrew, $100
Leave it to the classic French brand Peugeot to totally elevate the way we open a bottle of wine. This ergonomic wine opener can be used one-handed, thanks to its trigger handle and snug grip.
2. Under $15: Houdini Winged Corkscrew, $14.99
When I moved into my first apartment, I was overwhelmed with expenses (yes, a navy blue velvet couch that was deeply uncomfortable, but also absolutely necessary). In one of my many rushed trips to Target for household essentials, I threw this wine bottle opener into my shopping cart on a whim and thought nothing of it. It wasn’t until I was crying over furniture assembly and poured myself a glass of wine that I realized just how great this opener was. The corkscrew was sturdy, pulled the cork out with ease, and felt way more expensive than $15. Three years later and it hasn’t aged a day, unlike a bottle of California red sitting on my bar cart.
3. The Most Stylish: French Wood Electric Corkscrew, $115
Wine openers need to be ergonomic, easy to use, and practical. But once you check those boxes, it’s okay to care a little bit about how it looks, too. Thankfully, this electric wine opener is the perfect blend of form and function. It charges via USB and a full charge lets you open about 50 bottles. Did someone say happy hour?
4. Amazon’s Bestseller: Secura Electric Wine Opener
Nearly 30,000 shoppers call this the best wine opener money can buy—and we love that it rings in under $30. You can open up to 30 bottles on a single charge using this rechargeable electric wine bottle opener. To use, place the opener (which kind of looks like it belongs in some 1990s sci-fi movie) on top of your bottle, press a button, and the opener gets to work, removing the cork in just a few seconds. Users also say the brand’s customer service is top-notch, offering to replace broken openers (which are far and few between) free of charge.
5. Wine Opener & Foil Cutter Duo: Rabbit Wine Corkscrew with Foil Cutter, $50
Market editor Jada Wong won this during a White Elephant party and was so glad she didn’t swap it for someone else’s gift. "The chances of me opening a bottle of wine correctly before using this corkscrew was 50-50—I’d either get it on the first try, or I’d have to shove a broken cork into the bottle. This Rabbit corkscrew is ergonomically designed and has a soft texture that doesn’t hurt my hands. As far as wine openers go, it’s a little on the expensive side but at least it’ll save you the embarrassment of skimming out cork bits from your glass.”
6. Wine Opener & Preservation System: Coravin Pivot & Wine Preservation System, $89 $129
I love the original Coravin model, but I don’t love how expensive it is, nor how onerous it is to replace the gas cartridges. The latest launch from the company behind the revolutionary wine preservation system is a third of the cost and just as effective at preserving corked bottles of wine for up to four weeks. To use the Pivot system, open your bottle of wine using a regular corkscrew, then immediately place a Pivot wine stopper in the bottle. Insert the Pivot device through the stopper and then tip the spout over the glass to pour your preferred white, rosé, or red.
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