A Big Chunk of Cork.

[Conky]

Your in a Hotel room and your decanting your prize bottle. Being a tad clumsy, you only get two thirds of the Cork out and the last third drops in the bottle!
So you've strained your Port into the container, and its gorgeous, smiling at you. You want to decant it back into the bottle because a plastic tupperware jug has no credibility!

How do you get the last chunk of Cork out???

I've spent many funfilled hours jabbing all forms of knives, make-up appliances, coat hangers, etc,etc.
Someone's gonna really bug me now and tell me a solution that was under my nose all the time...aren't you?

Alan

[DRT]

I never let the cork drop back into the bottle

Seriously, if you are left with the bottom portion left in the bottle neck you can normally extract it in one of more pieces using a spare helix from a rabbit. It is better to remove as much as you can this way and shatter what remains of the cork before it drops into the wine. You can then filter out the bits and the bottle can co re-used as there will be no pieces of cork large enough to jam in the neck when decanting/rinsing.

Just practice

Derek

[KillerB]

you can normally extract it in one of more pieces using a spare helix from a rabbit.

You do realise what this means for the bunny population of the North West, don't you?

[DRT]

Nice one

Certainly funnier than any of the Meaningless Drivel I have read tonight

Derek

[KillerB]

I could have gone in a different direction, along the lines of Sex and the City but I thought better of it.

[Conky]

Ok, you appear to have given me a solution. And thanks for that!
Unfortunately you are dealing with someone who associates Rabbits with Fluffy things, or what Alex discretely refered to. Either of which dont fit conveniently down the neck of a Port Bottle!
So what do you mean when you say 'The Spare Helix of a Rabbit!'

Alan

[DRT]

A rabbit corkscrew is something you see quite frequently now in supermarkets and Men's Christmas Gifts in Next and Debenhams. It's the one with the two handles that grab the top of the bottle and then a third handle which act as a lever it insert a screw (helix) when you pull it down and remove the cork when you pull the lever back up again.

The helix (screw) can normaly be removed, or it may contain a spare one, which you can use to delicately remove or destroy the remaining cork.

Derek

PS: I'm making an assumption here that you know what a screw is

[Conky]

And suddenly the Fog lifted....and all around was clear!

Thanks Derek. (Dont know why you couldn't speak English in the first place, mind! )

Alan

[Conky]

That ploy of usng the spare Helix extracated the third of a Cork I left in te Morgans last night. Life saver! The reason I had a spare Helix was that I have a Tala Profssonal Corkscrew kit. This seemed to be the 'Rabbit' that was spoken of. Couldn' find the Fluffy ears mind. Maybe they're in the Delux set.

Alan

[DRT]

It works better if you wear the fluffy ears whilst extracting the cork - you should get some

Derek

[Luc]

My 3 yr old son's name is Félix , next time I partialy remove cork , I'll give him a try . . .

[Alex Bridgeman]

The only other hint that I can add is that if the bottom of the cork actually falls into the wine then the only solution that I have found that works is a three stage affair:

(1) decant the wine as normal but just be alert to the rogue piece of cork forming a temporary blockage that suddenly shifts and spurts port all over your Gran's nice, white, lace table cloth.

(2) rinse the bottle out with water as normal, shaking particularly vigorously in the hope that vigorous shaking will break the lump of cork into tiny pieces. (If it does then just rinse them out and skip stage 3.)

(3) Fill the bottle with water right up to the brim to force the rogue piece of cork to float right into the neck of the bottle. Then use whatever implement is to hand (helix, teaspoon or teaspoon handle or - in one case of dire emergency - sharpened Japanese chopstick) to break the cork into little pieces and force it out of the bottle.

Then you can decant back into the bottle and thank your lucky stars that you do not have to serve your Taylor 1927 in your Gran's tupperware jug.

Alex

[KillerB]

Isthere any specific reason why it should be a Japanese chop-stick? I only have Chinese and Thai ones, so I feel that I would be using he wrong tools.

[DRT]

Japanese goes particularly well with the Taylor 27

Derek

[Alex Bridgeman]

Isthere any specific reason why it should be a Japanese chop-stick? I only have Chinese and Thai ones, so I feel that I would be using he wrong tools.

Nothing wrong with Chinese or Thai chopsticks. I did say that the important criteria was that you should use "whatever implement is to hand ". If that happens to be a Thai chopstick then I'm sure my method would work, although you may still have to sharpen the chopstick.

Alex

[Conky]

Chopsticks and Helix!!! Rubbish.

What you need is a Drunk at my Club, with a hankerchief. Let me explain. I was talking about the geeky things we talk of on this site. When I mentioned this cork problem, he said 'You just need a hanky'. I ignored him, but he got a bottle, rammed a cork in the bottle and then proceded to pull it out with his hanky.
Now before you think I've been on the magic mushrooms, a few of the other lads confirmed this was an old and popular trick. So I came home and googled it.

So Gentlemen, for your perusal. The definitive way of removing a large chunk of Cork or even a full one, from an empty bottle, is here

Note he uses a plastic bag, but I can assure you, a hanky with no blowing does the same job.

Case closed.

Alan.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Well I watched and I learnt. Thanks for that link Alan. I shall grab an empty bottle and a spare cork and try it for myself tomorrow night.

Alex

[Andy Velebil]

WOW! I didn't know it was that easy..I will have to try it for myself. Thanks Alan

[jdaw1]

Agreed. An excellent and most useful video.

[DRT]

I haven't watched the video - I'm still in shock that Conky has come up with something usefull

Derek

[Conky]

WOW! I didn't know it was that easy..I will have to try it for myself. Thanks Alan

Andy,

Good to see you found it again.

Alan

[Andy Velebil]

Darn straight, and it worked like a charm

[Ghandih]

Conky,

I was thinking Julian had sent me the solution, and then you posted the video yourself (or an analogous one). That's dead clever, isn't it?

Has anyone tried it yet? I'm tempted to crack a bottle tonight just to try...


Gahndih

[DRT]

Has anyone tried it yet?

With my own eyes I have seen Julian do this twice. I think Conky told me that he has also done it.

It is very clever.

Derek

[uncle tom]

OK, now for the bleedin' obvious...

- You've decanted the bottle, but have left a big chunk of cork inside.

- You want to put the wine back into the bottle, as taking a decanter on the bus is a bit awkward.

- So you put some water in the bottle and give it a big shake to free off the old sediment. you drain it off and repeat the exercise, yet that pesky lump of cork stays inside.

- You put a teensy drop of wine in the bottle to flush the last of the water from rinsing. Still that lump stays put.

- So what to do?




-?




- ??




- ???




- ????




- ?????




- ??????




- ???????




- ?????????








- LEAVE IT WHERE IT IS!





If it won't come out now, it won't come out later, and as it's been soaked in the wine for umpteen years it's hardly likely to do it any harm!!




Tom

[Luc]

Tom , you shouldn't keep things inside . . .

[Conky]

Tom,

Now I know your a Newbie on the Port Front....

but have you never poured a bottle which has had a lump of cork in it (As you describe) but the flow isn't superb, then the cork moves, an then the Port spews out everywhere!!!!

You dont have to thank me.

Alan

[DRT]

I have now tried the pulling the cork out of the bottle with a semi-inflated plastic bag method a few times and I like it, especially on older ports.

I have also done enough research to decalre that the most effective extraction device is aTesco's Large Food & Freezer Bag with Tie Handle. 25 bags for £1.49.

I have added 5 of these bags to my Travel Decanting Kit along with Jdaw supplied collapsable funnel and unbleached coffee filters to ensure I am prepared for all eventualities.

Derek

[KillerB]

I have now tried the pulling the cork out of the bottle with a semi-inflated plastic bag method a few times and I like it, especially on older ports.

I have also done enough research to decalre that the most effective extraction device is aTesco's Large Food & Freezer Bag with Tie Handle. 25 bags for £1.49.

I have added 5 of these bags to my Travel Decanting Kit along with Jdaw supplied collapsable funnel and unbleached coffee filters to ensure I am prepared for all eventualities.

Derek

Excellent piece of advice, thank you Derek.

The JDAW (DRT amendment 03/08) Travel Decanting Kit (JTDK) now incorporates:

1 Collapable Yellow Funnel;
10 Unbleached Coffee Filters;
5 Tesco's Large Food & Freezer Bags with Tie Handles

Additionally, I suggest, one standard port glass, one clean cloth, one corkscrew, one hungry cat. The last of these may have been influenced by circumstances arising at the time of writing.

[DRT]

I have now tried the pulling the cork out of the bottle with a semi-inflated plastic bag method a few times and I like it, especially on older ports.

I have also done enough research to decalre that the most effective extraction device is aTesco's Large Food & Freezer Bag with Tie Handle. 25 bags for £1.49.

I have added 5 of these bags to my Travel Decanting Kit along with Jdaw supplied collapsable funnel and unbleached coffee filters to ensure I am prepared for all eventualities.

Derek

Excellent piece of advice, thank you Derek.

The JDAW (DRT amendment 03/08) Travel Decanting Kit (JTDK) now incorporates:

1 Collapable Yellow Funnel;
10 Unbleached Coffee Filters;
5 Tesco's Large Food & Freezer Bags with Tie Handles

Additionally, I suggest, one standard port glass, one clean cloth, one corkscrew, one hungry cat. The last of these may have been influenced by circumstances arising at the time of writing.

There is one flaw in your kit. Everything retains it's usefulness even when made flat except the glass.

Derek

[KillerB]

I have now tried the pulling the cork out of the bottle with a semi-inflated plastic bag method a few times and I like it, especially on older ports.

I have also done enough research to decalre that the most effective extraction device is aTesco's Large Food & Freezer Bag with Tie Handle. 25 bags for £1.49.

I have added 5 of these bags to my Travel Decanting Kit along with Jdaw supplied collapsable funnel and unbleached coffee filters to ensure I am prepared for all eventualities.

Derek

Excellent piece of advice, thank you Derek.

The JDAW (DRT amendment 03/08) Travel Decanting Kit (JTDK) now incorporates:

1 Collapable Yellow Funnel;
10 Unbleached Coffee Filters;
5 Tesco's Large Food & Freezer Bags with Tie Handles

Additionally, I suggest, one standard port glass, one clean cloth, one corkscrew, one hungry cat. The last of these may have been influenced by circumstances arising at the time of writing.

There is one flaw in your kit. Everything retains it's usefulness even when made flat except the glass.

Derek

I admit to the usefulness of one cat, flat, the other needs a bit of negotiating.

I grant the glass situation but consider it a necessity based on recent experience.

[DRT]

I have now tried the pulling the cork out of the bottle with a semi-inflated plastic bag method a few times and I like it, especially on older ports.

I have also done enough research to decalre that the most effective extraction device is aTesco's Large Food & Freezer Bag with Tie Handle. 25 bags for £1.49.

I have added 5 of these bags to my Travel Decanting Kit along with Jdaw supplied collapsable funnel and unbleached coffee filters to ensure I am prepared for all eventualities.

Derek

Excellent piece of advice, thank you Derek.

The JDAW (DRT amendment 03/08) Travel Decanting Kit (JTDK) now incorporates:

1 Collapable Yellow Funnel;
10 Unbleached Coffee Filters;
5 Tesco's Large Food & Freezer Bags with Tie Handles

Additionally, I suggest, one standard port glass, one clean cloth, one corkscrew, one hungry cat. The last of these may have been influenced by circumstances arising at the time of writing.

There is one flaw in your kit. Everything retains it's usefulness even when made flat except the glass.

Derek

OK. Flat cats are fine and just as usefull as inflated ones. Suggest we each find a little wooden box in which to keep a single port glass and carry it with us wherever we go. Now, that doesn't sound too geeky, does it?

Derek

[KillerB]

I have now tried the pulling the cork out of the bottle with a semi-inflated plastic bag method a few times and I like it, especially on older ports.

I have also done enough research to decalre that the most effective extraction device is aTesco's Large Food & Freezer Bag with Tie Handle. 25 bags for £1.49.

I have added 5 of these bags to my Travel Decanting Kit along with Jdaw supplied collapsable funnel and unbleached coffee filters to ensure I am prepared for all eventualities.

Derek

Excellent piece of advice, thank you Derek.

The JDAW (DRT amendment 03/08) Travel Decanting Kit (JTDK) now incorporates:

1 Collapable Yellow Funnel;
10 Unbleached Coffee Filters;
5 Tesco's Large Food & Freezer Bags with Tie Handles

Additionally, I suggest, one standard port glass, one clean cloth, one corkscrew, one hungry cat. The last of these may have been influenced by circumstances arising at the time of writing.

There is one flaw in your kit. Everything retains it's usefulness even when made flat except the glass.

Derek

OK. Flat cats are fine and just as usefull as inflated ones. Suggest we each find a little wooden box in which to keep a single port glass and carry it with us wherever we go. Now, that doesn't sound too geeky, does it?

Derek

Not even mildly geeky, can't imagine why you would suggest such a thing.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Can I respectfully suggest that you consider equipping yourselves with the AHB Port Lover's Travel Kit.

This includes all the items outlined in the DRT travel kit, with the following differences:

• The glass is a "Riedel in a box" vinum port glass and can be packed in a box marked with the logo of most major shippers.
  7 refillable 50cl wine miniatures and a plastic bag 20cm x 20cm in size (this being the largest size bag allowed through hand baggage security screening at an airport and the maximum number of miniature bottles that will comfortably fit in such a bag). The bottles can be supplied full of port at an appropriate cost.
  An optional red-checked flannel shirt, with or without port stains to prove previous use.

I believe that we now have everything covered.

Alex

[Alex Bridgeman]

I forgot to mention that the AHB Port Lover's Kit also includes a 6" clear blue plastic ruler to allow the owner of the kit to measure the length of port corks and inner diameter of bottle necks whilst travelling.

Alex

[DRT]

Perhaps we could add a fold-away TPF Port Declarations Chart to complete the set? All we need now is to find a suitable high-impact case with foam lining and trolley wheels/handle and that should be all that a travelling port fan should require.

[Conky]

If your extracting the cork from a Port bottle, it is best to use a plastic bag, as it will often find a bit of sediment, and stain.

But if your doing it for a bet at the end of a drunken soiree, choose a clear white wine bottle, and a hankerchief. It often helps if you fail occasionally, and look confused, as though doubting yourself. The five pound, or ten pound notes you collect deserve this performance.

Alan

[jdaw1]

My funnel is green not yellow. Is this a serious deficiency?

[KillerB]

My funnel is green not yellow. Is this a serious deficiency?

A deficiency, certainly, but not one so serious that it needs revising.