Pop it goes

What stands between you and that perfect bottle of wine? A rather stubborn cork that can literally put the stopper in your party plans.

Keeping it fresh

The cork is imperative to keeping the wine fresh and preventing the oxidisation of the wine. And forget about trying to pry it out with a fork or a knife- the damaged cork will flake into the wine and spoil the taste.

The most basic corkscrew consists of a pointed metal helix (popularly known as the worm). The helix is twisted into the cork and pulled out by the handle.. but this process can be long and painful to the inexperienced bottle opener.

Butterfly opener

The butterfly corkscrew is probably the most popular one available today. It uses the help of twin levers on either side of the basic corkscrew to intensify the force used to pop the cork open. It also has a base that can be fitted around the mouth of the bottle to make sure that your hands don't slip.

The head of the helix is also shaped like a bottle opener, making it useful when you feel the need for a soda or a gin and tonic as well.

The Metrokane rabbit corkscrew is another popular version though it's extremely expensive and is not easily available in the city. It consists of two handles that grip the sides of the wine bottle.

A third handle on the top of the gadget is used to drive the helix into the cork by pressing down on it. Pulling the handle upwards ejects the cork neatly from the bottle with little effort. Definitely helpful for those who enjoy their daily glass of wine.

Twin-ponged

A professional twin pronged corker is used by certain restaurants and sommeliers for its ability to replace the cork without damage. The two prongs on pushed into the bottle neck and wrest the cork loose without piercing it. When the process is reversed, the cork is returned to its place.

Available at Magppie, HyperCity stores and Art D'Inox stores