Observation about the Screwpull corkscrew

[djewesbury]

For those who have the Le Creuset branded Screwpull corkscrew, with the body that flares outward at the base, I have a potentially interesting observation. It has been observed - by Phil and by JDAW amongst others - that the body of the corkscrew sometimes obstructs the edge of the cork as it's being extracted, and that this can occasionally contribute to cork breakage. I found that by holding the body by the two flared legs and pinching them in at the bottom (rather like pressing on a spring lever), the cork comes out cleanly and unobstructed. I imagine everybody else cottoned on to this ages ago, but I only discovered it yesterday morning when decanting a G70 for Derek and I to drink with our vegetarian lasagne.

[uncle tom]

There are a few variants of this device, so I am not sure one can generalise. However I have noted on the model that I use, a tendency to twist off the tops of old frail corks. I find that stopping the action after the screw is fully inserted, and then resorting to old fashioned brawn to draw the cork straight out gives better results.

[PhilW]

I found that by holding the body by the two flared legs and pinching them in at the bottom (rather like pressing on a spring lever), the cork comes out cleanly and unobstructed. I imagine everybody else cottoned on to this ages ago, but I only discovered it yesterday morning when decanting a G70 for Derek and I to drink with our vegetarian lasagne.

for breakfast?
I had not come across this trick, I will give it a try with the next bottle. I've been using my finger and thumb to hold the bottom wider while using the screwpull, which isn't easy; if this works well that will be very helpful.