Is an Electric Wine Opener Better Than a Manual Corkscrew?

Popping the cork off of a bottle of wine is an inconvenience I love. Even though the whole process could all be made easier with screw caps or boxes for most wines, I prefer something that comes sealed with a cork. The difficulty is part of the appeal. The intricate action of uncorking contributes to the mood of drinking wine way more than the flick a wrist it takes to remove a cap.

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Mood is always a factor in my wine calculus—I always want it to be just right. My preferred corkscrew is a sleek enameled key that I’ve had for years, one of those practical buy-it-for-life items that is as beautiful as it is a joy to use. Opening wine with it is part of the ceremony of drinking it. Still, I know my sensory appreciation for sinking a sharp screw into a tender piece of bark is not something that everybody shares. I know people are often looking for a simpler solution. So, it was with an open mind that I tried the Oster electric wine opener.

Aesthetically, it wasn’t a fair replacement. This thing is big—and ugly. Taller than a bottle of wine and almost as wide if you count the charging base, it took up way more space than I was ready for and was, frankly, an eyesore in my kitchen. While I can keep my regular corkscrew tucked away in my desk drawer and keep others scattered throughout the house in strategic locations, the Oster never fit anywhere that I actually needed to use it. Pulling it out of a drawer felt like an affair. It's almost like buying a whole new appliance dedicated to opening wine.

Although it didn’t exactly fit into my space, using the Oster electric wine opener was almost effortless. First, you take the foil off of the bottle using the enclosed cutter. Then, you fit the wine opener over the neck of the bottle and press the button labeled with a down arrow on the machine to drill your way into the cork. It pulls it out literally at the clink of the button—and then you just press the other arrow in order to release it from the screw. While it’s possible to make this a one-handed maneuver, I recommend steadying the bottle with your other hand. Nevertheless, this is an incredibly easy, effort-free way to open a bottle of wine.

This electric wine opener pulls the cork out with almost magical ease. I was surprised it had actually done the job the first time I used it. Like being lifted to your floor in mere few minutes in a really fast elevator, the action required zero effort and left me with an undeserved feeling of accomplishment. Even the gratifying pop sound was gone, replaced by the loud robotic whirr of the motor.

When it comes to the best corkscrew, simple is best.

Functionally, an Oster electric wine opener will open your wine quickly and with ease, but, like I said above, drinking wine is not a thing done out of convenience. The Oster makes opening wine easier than ever, but it removes the romance and stylishness of the affair. Emotionally, it’s not an automatic upgrade from a manual corkscrew. Given the choice, I wouldn’t reach for it over what I’m used to—because opening wine is part of the ceremony of drinking it. But mood aside, it’s a great option for anyone who struggles with using a standard corkscrew due to mobility or grip issues, or if you’ve just never gotten the hang of using one. I can also see it being useful for those particularly stubborn synthetic corks that can be really tough to pull.

One of the pleasures of getting into wine is the paraphernalia. As with glasses, decanters, and chillers, you can go as utilitarian or upscale as you want with a wine opener, but as long as it can effectively extract your cork in a way that works for you, it won’t have an effect on how you enjoy the wine. If an electric wine opener is the easiest, most convenient way for you to enjoy a glass of wine—and a wine opening method that genuinely brings you joy—go for it.

Originally Appeared on Epicurious