Corkscrew Bladewaiters

The Esplanda Corkscrew Bladewaiters is a waiter's-style corkscrew, the folding format used in restaurants. A worm (the spiral screw), a small foil-cutting blade and a hinged lever all fold into one handle. The product details don't list materials, dimensions or finish, so check those against the photos before buying. Waiter's corkscrews of this type usually fold to roughly pocket size. To use it, open the blade and run it around the bottle's lip, just below the ridge, to cut the foil or capsule. Peel the foil off, then flip out the worm and centre its tip on the cork. Turn it steadily until only one or two spirals show. Hinge the lever onto the bottle's rim and pull the cork up in two stages, first with the lever resting on the lip, then by hand for the last bit. This keeps the cork from snapping or crumbling. Wipe the bottle neck before pouring. This format suits still wines closed with natural cork, from everyday reds and whites to older bottles that need a gentle pull. It works less well on synthetic stoppers, which can grip the worm. It isn't made for sparkling wine, whose wire cage and pressure call for hand technique. A crown-cap bottle needs a separate opener unless the model has a built-in one, which the listing doesn't say. After the cork is out, serve the wine in a glass sized to its style. A larger bowl suits reds and a narrower one suits whites, filled to about a third so the aromas have room to gather. Keep the corkscrew in a drawer, a bar kit or a coat pocket for tastings and dinners away from home.