Customer Reviews

Pedrini Wine & Bar Automatic Corkscrew

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Our first Pedrini corkscrew broke after about 20 years of service and so I bought this one on Amazon. When it arrived, the corkscrew appeared to be of lighter weight and sturdiness but other than that was identical in function. Eager to try it out, we tried to open a bottle of wine capped with a synthetic cork. Much to our surprise instead of pulling the cork, the corkscrew itself was pulled out of the cork and the cork held fast. Fortunately we had a manual corkscrew which pulled the cork with no problem. After examining the corkscrew, it appears that the diameter of the corkscrew shaft is smaller and doesn't exert enough pulling force to do the job. I did not try the corkscrew on a bottle of wine with a natural cork stopper to see if it could do the job. I don't think anyone wants to have their wine selection dictated by the type of cork their corkscrew will pull. I think it is reasonable to expect a corkscrew to pull any cork evey time so I would recommend you pass on this product.

I found this device when I was house setting for my cousin. It took me about 10 minutes to figure it out how to use it. My lever type corkscrew broke eralier this year and the cheap regular waiter type corkscrew is not working out well for me, so I am buying one of these soon.

[update] Feb. 2010. Well, I have been using this since last March and I average using it about every other day. It worked great until I brought it with me to a restaurant and left it there a couple of months ago. I just order another one and will be sure to leave it at home. Also, I also experience difficulty opening synthetic cork in only one occation (can't recall the name of the wine) where the screw came out without removing the cork, but it worked with many other wines with synthetic corks.

So far it works pretty darn good. the lever mechanism didn't switch all the way on my first attempt and it drilled a 1/4 inch hole in the cork. i might hit the lever and pull-screw with some silicone spray so they might work smoother. I haven't had it not pull a cork yet, but i can see how the smooth shape of the actual corkscrew itself would have trouble on a stuck cork (like some others here are claiming).
But so far it's been a great little device! glad i got it.

Maybe it is me...I have small hands...but this is very difficult to use.

The point does not want to go in the cork....it took me 15 minutes, and I almost quit...till after literally pushing and turning, it finally started to work...my advice...look for another product!