I can't get the corks out of the bottle

[Joanie]

I've done it! It works like a charm!

 

[dfwwino]

Well, I guess I must have the super-stuck cork. As the photo demonstrates, the bag was not strong enough to pull out the cork. I'm glad I did not bet $50.00 on this trick as the video suggests.

 

[Wade E]

I see a Fine Vine wines cork in there and that is the problem! You see these corks are time activated and will not come out of a bottle until at least 9 months to keep the impatient people from opening their wines to early!

Edited by: wade

 

[grapeman]

Wino, I might suggest you use the bag on those stubborn ones to get the cork up to the neck-keeping pressure on it while you use a corkscrew to get it out. Getting the cork to the neck is the hard part, but easy with the bag.

 

[dfwwino]

I decided to give this trick another shot, given my persistent nature. This time I used a Walmart bag rather than a Target bag.Walmart did the trick and the cork was successfully removed. I never thought the flimsy, thin looking Walmart bag would so handily defeat the Target bag. I then fished the remnant of the Target bag out of the bottle with a chopstick. Regretfully for Target, I'll have to tip a glass to Walmart as the winner of this competition.


I was reluctant to put a photo up given that our generous host's business name was on the cork. But I thought it was rather amusing that I now had a cork and Target bag stuck in the bottle. Edited by: dfwwino

 

[OldWino1]

This is a cork screw that a bartender gave me it it awsome. The hinge is the differance. It goes deep into the cork the the first lip of the first pull up then go to the last lip and pull the cork out. I have a cork puller also but i have gone to this one.

Edited by: OldWino

 

[Sub Vet]

Link with pic of Ah-So:http://www.grapestompers.com/product_details.asp?SubcatID=24&ProductID=270&internal_index=0


Link with article on humidor:http://www.rjspagnols.com/resource_view.asp?HandoutID=14


My cork humidor is pretty basic. I have a round plastic tupperware-type container with 3/8" holes drilled in the lid. This container is filled about half full of K-Meta. Container with K-Meta is placed into another larger round plastic container. Corks are poured into the larger container and rest on the smaller container of K-Meta. The lid is closed on the larger container and the K-Meta fumes sanitize the corks. The corks will be ready to insert during bottling and require no additional handling. I think it's called the "dry cork" method and it works for me.


BTW: I found the containers at a General Dollar Store. For about 5 bucks you can purchase the set of 6 descending sized plastic containers, all in one package.


I hope this helps.


How long do you leave the corks in the container before you bottle,and what size corks do you use?Thanks

 

[stormbringer]

Ikeep corks storedin the humidor. Between bottlings, I occasionally open the lid on the humidor and check to make sure the K-meta solution is fresh. If the K-meta appears weak, Iremove the corks and refill the container of K-meta.
After a bottling, I refill/top-off the humidor with new corks.Then, they are good to go for the next bottling.


I use #9 corks for wines that I expect to age and #8 corks for wines I'm certain will be consumed within a couple of months of bottling.



Edited by: stormbringer

 

[afireguy]

Ifind my self working out in the garagesometimes with a bottle of vino
and no corkscrew, and have found that a 2 1/2 or3 inch sheet rock
screw and a pair of vicegrips work Great, anda empty oil can for a glass
....lol just kiding, but the sheet Rock screws work Great.

 

[Wade E]

Ive been there fireguy!

 

[chevyguy65]

Ok get this... we opened a bottle of Cherry wine thats been in the bottle only about 2 months and the cork slid right out!!! I wonder if the kits are higher in sulfite which causes the coating on the corks to breakdown enough to cause them to be difficult to remove. Dunno for sure but its a thought........

 

[Wade E]

I think that the sulfite in the wine has nothing to do with it. Quality of cork has a lot to do with it. Georges perfect agglomerate corks are coated with a special coating that makes them easier to get in and get out unlike a lot of bulk corks. They are also a much better quality then most corks bought in bulk as they are a much more dense(smaller pcs glued together). A lot of corks sold in stores bulk are bigger pcs glued together.

 

[SB Ranch]

Maybe you needa "Cork Sucker"!


I have ruined one cork but quickly learned not to force the issue. By changing position of the cork removing tool you may be able to dislodge the troublesome cork.


If you have a corking tool you can push the cork about a 1/16th further in the bottle AND TRY REMOVING AGAIN.


With a little patience and ingenuity you will be an accomplished cork removal specialist.Edited by: SBRanch

 

[chevyguy65]

The corks were from george . this has been on on going discussion on this forum for some time. I was just comparing them to removing corks from the bottle kit wine we've had... this one seems much easier to remove .. already busted 2 cork screws

 

[PeterZ]

I use a T-handles auger-type corkscrew, rather than a coiled-wire type. I screw the auger in until the top portion touches the rim of the bottle, and then another half turn. That snaps the cork free and it is easy to pull from there. The inclined plane is one of the seven simple machines.

 

[Wade E]

Chevy, I also have broken 2 rabbit ears. 1 was on a commercial and the other on 1 of my bottles. Personally i think these things are junk. They look really nice and work really nice until they dont work and that seems to be too often to me. The first cork screw screwed right in and came out as easy without even moving the cork. The 2nd 1 jumped gears and inside and I took it apart and fixed it and it did the same thing. Both of these were pulled right out without problems using the cheap ole corkscrew like Peter has and this has been in my drawer for probably 9 years being used the whole time. It just doesnt look as neat.

 

[masta]

I am at a loss why some folks have problems removing corks and especially the FVW type. I have inserted and removed hundreds of corks and the only FVW that was tough was in a bottle someone gave me.


I use the rabbit ear type ($6.00 at a discount store) and corks are out of the bottle and removed from the opener in less than 10 seconds.


Has to be one or a combination of these issues: cork handling or preparation, type of corker, bottle type, inconstancy of corks.

Edited by: masta

 

[dfwwino]

I broke three corkscrews after bottling 45 bottles with the FVW corks. I never had a problem with the Altec corks I formerly used. After reading the cork posts, I discovered my problem. I had soaked all my corks in water and sulfites while bottling. I now use new ones out of the bag or from a cork humidor and have no more problems, though I must say the Agglomerate corks are tighter than most.

 

[geocorn]

All I can offer is read tonight's newsletter!

 

[chevyguy65]

I guess its like the wheel... I was a great concept but took a while to find thebest way to use it? I cansay that no one is blaming FVW corks for being bad but we need to find the best way to "use" em. With all the members on here we'll figure it out