June 25, 2004, Newsletter Issue #2: Summertime and the livings easy

Tip of the Week

Corkscrews
Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to try just about every cork extraction method known to man and I get asked quite often what is the best? The uncorking machines that most good wine bars use is probably the best. However, they are big and expensive. Probably the easiest to use at home would be one of the many different cork-pulling machines. Something like the Metrokane Rabbit ($47.89) or the VinoPull ($25.49) that we stock. Again these are an expensive solution. Probably the most cost effective way to get a cork out a bottle is the classic waiter’s corkscrew. Although some can top $100, most are available for under $20. The Prestigio ($17.49) is our favorite in-house corkscrew. But the Capitano ($5.09) and the PullParrot ($6.79) work great as well.

The main thing you want to look at when buying a corkscrew is the screw itself. There are two types, one bad and one good. The good type is the open or helix style screw. If you look down the screw from the pointy end, it should be hollow down the center. The screw should resemble a wire that was wrapped around a pencil. All the opening machines and most waiters’ style pullers use this type of screw. The bad type looks like a large screw. The center is solid and the spiral is connected to the center.

One thing to be careful with when using a screw type cork puller is to try not to go all the way through the cork. You want to stop just short of going through the bottom of the cork.

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More new arrivals

We recently started carrying Cosentino Winery’s Sangiovese and CigarZin. Both are very good wines that are reasonably priced.

Cosentino Sangiovese ($14.99) has flavors of rich warm red and black fruits with clove and sweet herbs. A round wine that evolves into an intense mixed berry sensation with soft ripe tannins in the center. A white pepper note finishes this richly textured wine.

Cosentino CigarZin ($16.99) has flavors of red fruit oriented with raspberry and red cherry characteristics with blueberry accents.

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Byron White