The corkscrew: indispensable for wine lovers

The pleasure of a fine bottle begins with a single action.

The grape harvest, wine fairs, the first evenings of autumn… It is a season I particularly love.

A time when we happily find our way back to the wine cellar, discover new bottles, and take the time to open a fine wine to share at the table.

And indeed, before that first glass, there is one specific action I am particularly fond of: opening the bottle.

Choosing the wine, holding the bottle, admiring the label, neatly cutting the foil, and then gently guiding the worm into the cork…

I love this little ritual.

As is often the case in the kitchen or at the table, I find that the quality of the tool transforms the pleasure of the action itself.

That is undoubtedly why I have a special fondness for "sommelier" corkscrews. Of course, they are also simply called corkscrews, but the term "sommelier" suits them so much better when referring to these beautiful objects born of our cutlery-making tradition.

What makes a good sommelier corkscrew?

Above all, a good one must allow you to open a bottle easily, cleanly, and without damaging the cork.

Compact in design, it combines the three essential elements for opening a bottle into a single object: a foil cutter, a worm, and a lever.

But not all corkscrews are created equal.

The shape and quality of the worm, the lever mechanism, the foil cutter blade, the handle's ergonomics, and the build quality are all details that make a real difference in and among these, there is one feature I pay particular attention to: the conical worm.

Why choose a corkscrew with a tapered worm?

Our Laguiole and Le Thiers® waiter's corkscrews feature a genuine tapered worm.

Its shape allows it to penetrate the cork gradually, providing a secure grip to guide the cork out during extraction.

This is particularly valuable when opening a fine bottle that has been cellared for years, where the cork may have become fragile.

A high-quality worm allows for a gentler extraction, minimizing the risk of damaging the cork.

It is a detail that often goes unnoticed at first glance.

Yet, in use, it makes all the difference.

And that is precisely what I love about fine cutlery: aesthetic details catch the eye, while technical details reveal themselves over time.

Laguiole or Le Thiers®: which kind of corkscrew should you choose?

People sometimes ask me which one to pick.

My answer is usually the same: both are magnificent tools, so let your personal taste guide you.

The Laguiole corkscrew appeals through its distinctive lines and the rich heritage of French cutlery it embodies. It is an elegant, timeless object that is a pleasure to use—and to give as a gift.

The Le Thiers® corkscrew has a different character. Its lines are distinct, possessing a unique identity deeply rooted in the cutlery craftsmanship of Thiers.

Both are designed to complement the movements of the wine enthusiast.

So, Laguiole or Le Thiers®?

For me, it is above all about the connection with the object—its shape and its materials.

Wood, horn, carbon fiber… a sommelier knife for every taste

This is certainly one of the things I love most when selecting our models: the variety of handle materials.

Warm wood, with its unique hues and natural grain, tells a different story than horn or a more contemporary material like carbon fiber.

Some look for understated elegance. Others prefer a more distinctive handle—a specific type of wood or simply a texture that appeals to them more.

Natural materials also lend their own unique nuances and character to each piece.

The sommelier knife thus becomes far more than just a tool for opening wine.

It becomes a personal object that can be customized with laser engraving.

The one you keep near your wine cellar, the one you take along to a dinner with friends, the one you recognize instantly among others.

It also makes, I find, a wonderful gift for a wine lover.

What is the foil cutter on a sommelier knife for?

People talk a lot about the corkscrew’s worm, but I place great importance on the foil cutter as well.

It performs the very first step, even before the cork is removed.

Its blade allows you to cleanly cut the foil around the bottle neck before you begin extracting the cork.

It is this combination of multiple functions in a single compact object that makes a true sommelier knife so appealing: cutting the foil, inserting the worm, leveraging the tool, and extracting the cork.

A small tool, perhaps, but one that embodies a great deal of craftsmanship.

With the grape harvest and wine fairs upon us…

Autumn offers a thousand opportunities to talk about wine.

We turn our attention to the harvest, vintages, grape varieties, and appellations. Wine fairs also provide a chance to make new discoveries or select bottles we look forward to enjoying again in a few months—or even a few years.

Yet, when the time comes to taste them, the initial steps remain the same.

Selecting your corkscrew, cutting the foil, gently inserting the worm, and extracting the cork…

For me, the pleasure of a fine bottle begins right there.

And when a beautiful tool accompanies a good wine and a shared moment, the tasting experience has already begun.

Claudine Dozorme

Claudine’s Tips

What is the difference between a sommelier  corkscrew and a standard corkscrew?

"Corkscrew" is a general term for any tool used to extract a cork from a bottle. The "sommelier" style—often called a  corkscrew—is a compact model that typically combines a worm (the spiral), a lever system, and a foil cutter.

Why choose a conical worm?

A conical worm penetrates the cork gradually, ensuring a secure grip during extraction. It is particularly useful for carefully opening older bottles, where the cork may be more fragile.

Laguiole or Le Thiers®: which one should you choose?

Both represent strong identities within French cutlery craftsmanship. Beyond technical specifications, the choice largely depends on your preferences regarding shape, handle style, materials, and how the tool feels in your hand. The Laguiole appeals with its rounded, traditional lines—accentuated by its iconic bee emblem—while Le Thiers® offers a more contemporary style with a straighter, more rectangular silhouette.

Which corkscrew should you give to a wine lover?

A fine Laguiole or Le Thiers® corkscrew makes for a gift that is both practical and durable. To personalize it, select a handle material that suits the recipient's taste: wood for a warm, traditional feel; horn for a distinctive, character-filled look; or contemporary materials like carbon fiber for a modern style. You can also opt for laser engraving on our website to make the gift truly exceptional.