A Better Corkscrew 

You've probably seen the funny looking corkscrew with arms, resembling a person descending upon the bottle. It's called a "Wing Type Corkscrew." Besides the fact that it resembles an S&M toy, its efficacy is questionable since it rips corks, leaving little brown floaties in your wine. To avoid this, make sure the corkscrew has a worm (the screw-like prong which bores into the cork) at least 2 to 3 inches long. These retail under $10.

The tried-and-true "Waiter's Corkscrew" has recently undergone a facelift. This pocketknife look-alike has a foldout lever and worm, but the updated version sports two notches on the lever. After testing both versions, we liked the improvements, since the first notch provides the initial oomph for pulling most of the cork out, and the second notch finishes off the job. This corkscrew proved superior for fat-lipped, flanged-type bottles as well as for extracting broken corks. Costs under $10.

The air pump corkscrew frightens me. Be careful of getting whacked in the face while using this type of device that works like a basketball pump. You insert the air needle into the cork so that it penetrates all the way through. Then, using the palm-held pump, you push air underneath the cork, forcing it out of the bottle. The cork normally flies out like a Champagne cork, with the hazardous air pump in tow. Other negatives: it doesn't like tight corks and can give you a cramp in your forearm from pumping. But, it preserves the condition of the cork. Sells for under $10.

There is a funny contraption appropriately branded the "Ah-So," since you say,"Ah ... so that's how it works." Difficult to master, it's fashioned from two heavy-duty metal strips that clasp both sides of the cork inside the bottle. Then, you extract the cork by turning and pulling it out. Ah-So masters are the fastest draw on the cork. I've witnessed two "cork pull" contests (a wine geek's tractor pull), where the Ah-So smoked all other corkscrews in the speed category, but it took plenty of practice to get that far. Costs around $8.

Originally called "The Rabbit" since it somewhat resembles a rabbit with big ears, this elaborate corkscrew trumps Ah-So's speed. The Rabbit effortlessly pops a cork in as fast as three seconds. You fasten the contraption over the top of the bottle, pull the lever down, and then lift it back up with the cork hanging on. The process takes a couple of attempts to master, and it's not cheap ($25 - $120).

I've often mentioned how useful the tabletop Screwpull corkscrew is -- in its simplicity, size and effectiveness. And I still agree after trying other competitors, but it's pricey ($30), so not for everyone. It operates using an arched piece of plastic straddling a 5-inch worm coated with Teflon, and then you keep screwing the worm into the cork until it's removed. Pretty nifty and fits nicely in any drawer, unlike the bulky Rabbit type.

Wine Recommendations

Canyon Road 2000 Merlot Spicy blackberry soaking into the tongue. A bit tannic, but very nicely done. Not a wimpy Merlot. Easy on the wallet too. *** 1/2 $8

Lockwood 2000 Chardonnay Smooth grooves from this silky, subtly oaky wine. Chock full of nicely acidic citrus flavors, and certainly not your typical California Chard. **** $16

The Wine ListBARONE'S WINE ROOM offers wine tastings every Wednesday night from 6-8pm. The cost is $10. Barone's is located in Birkdale Village, Huntersville. Call 704-987-0011 for more information.

CAROLINA WINE CLUB Winter classes will be held at the Mint Museum of Craft and Design from 6:30-8pm. Four Series: Series I: Session III, Jan. 28-Old Vine Zinfandels and Zinfandel Port; Session IV, Feb. 4-The Beaujolais Classification. Individual Sessions $30; each series of classes $100 (mix and match any four sessions from any series). Call 704-344-8027 for reservations.

SOMETHING CLASSIC AT THE VILLA 715 Providence Road. Wine & food tastings are held from 5:30-8pm on the last Wednesday of the month at Something Classic. Call 704-347-3666.

SOUTHERN SPIRITS announces Winter Wine Classes. Feb. 5 & 12: California Revealed, $40. Learn about and taste wines from various appellations and find out what makes them unique. All classes are held from 7-8:30pm. Located on Hwy 521, 3 miles south of Ballantyne. Call 803-548-8888.

WINE DINNER Kysela Imports wine dinner will be held at The Meeting House on Providence, Jan. 29, 7pm. Cost is $45 per person. For reservations, call 704-334-6338.

THE WINE GALLERY hosts wine tastings every Thursday from 6:30-8:30pm. Jan. 23-Washington State Wines. Cost is $6 per person. Located in the Arboretum, 8020-400 Providence Rd. 704-544-2455.

WINE TASTINGS AT REID'S 7TH ST. WINE SHOP Every Wednesday night at the Wine Bar from 5:30-7:30pm, very informal. Three wines will be tasted each week. Cost is $10 per person. Call 704-513-7014.

Wine tastings, classes, or other wine-related events will be listed at the discretion of the editors. Send information to Creative Loafing one of three ways: Fax to 704-944-3605; email to lindsey.herman@cln.com; or by regular mail at 6112 Old Pineville Rd. Charlotte, NC 28217.