A HAPPY MEDIUM BETWEEN TWO CLASSICS
Pegasus Double Lever Corkscrew
by James Riswick

Since wine was first sealed in bottles with cork in the 18th century, people have come up with diverse and unique ways of yanking out the little tan plug. Two of today’s most common corkscrews are also two of the oldest designs: Carl Weinke’s “Waiter’s Friend” and H.S. Heeley’s Double Lever (sometimes called a ballerina or a “de Gaulle” in France). You probably have an example of both in your home, and which one you prefer is most likely a matter of taste. The Waiter’s Friend is more compact and can fit in your pocket, however, it also requires a little more muscle than the Double Lever that utilizes leverage provided by its two swing-down arms.

For those looking for a happy medium, why not try the Pegasus Double Lever corkscrew? Resembling two Waiter’s Friends put together, the Pegasus uses two-wing leverage, but unlike traditional double levers, it doesn’t have a circular base that rests on top of the bottle. Instead, it uses two Waiter’s Friend-style planting pegs—one that doubles as a bottle opener, the other as a convenient foil cutter. Ours came in a sleek stainless steel design, while a classy rosewood-handle version is also available. There is one drawback: the Pegasus can break bottles with wide, flat-top openings. Most wines don’t have this new trendy design, so it’s only a minor problem to keep in mind. This corkscrew is a nifty tool that quickly and easily does its job while being compact and easy to store. To purchase the Pegasus, visit www.wineaccessoriesmart.com.

Price: $29