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Why Corkscrews are Here to Stay!
Since the ancient Egyptians, wine has been stored in
many vessels--animal skins, earthenware jars and wooden
barrels. Many of these containers were plugged with
wood or cork. Although these containers could easily
be opened with a sharp blow, however once open, the
wine would diminish in quality. During subsequent years,
it was noted that, although barrels were great vehicles
for transporting wine, wine that is corked not only
lasts longer, but improves over time. People soon realized
that a device was essential in order to remove the cork
from the tight grip of the bottle.
The first corkscrew patent was issued
in England to Reverend Samuel Henshall in 1795. It was
a simple, T-shaped piece of equipment with a steel worm
protruding from the center of the handle made of either
bone or wood. In 1802, a more complicated corkscrew
was patented by British engineer, Edward Thomason. This
was a bell-shaped cylinder that surrounded the worm;
putting the bottom of the cylinder on the top of the
wine bottle neck in a vertical position. This allowed
the user to uncork the bottle without getting his or
her fingers dirty.
A wide variety of corkscrews were produced
in the 1800s, some with enhanced levers, gears, springs
and secondary screws. In the 20th century, the corkscrew
took on a new shape and design when Texas engineer,
Herbert Allen invented the screwpull in 1978. By placing
the screwpull on top of the bottle, the user simply
pushes a lever down and then pulls it back up effortlessly
to remove the cork. Today, your choice of corkscrews
is as limitless as your choice of wines—making
the corkscrew an integral part of wine culture.
But … What About The Screw
Cap?
Due to problems with cork taint, there has been a push
in the wine industry towards new ways of sealing bottles.
The leading competition for cork is now the screw cap.
Although screw caps are not a new invention, they have
been commonly associated with cheap wines only. Yet,
in recent years, they’ve been linked to more quality
wines. The rise of screw caps has been more dramatic
in Australia and New Zealand, ignited by an incredibly
effective grassroots movement.
Where Do Screw Caps Leave The Corkscrew?
After three hundred years of corkscrew evolution, it’s
clear that although the screw cap is here to stay, so
is the cork, and likewise, the corkscrew. Why? There
are a number of reasons why corks and corkscrews will
be with us for some time to come.
Corks are Better for the Environment
Environmentalists believe we need to continue to say
“yes” to the cork. “Popping a cork
is more than just a perfect way to start an evening.
Because cork is biodegradable, sustainably harvested
and completely natural, it’s also a great choice
for the environment. So when it comes to cork versus
screw caps, cork is the natural environmental choice,”
states the ‘Say Yes To Cork’ association.
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