Wine Gadget: Coravin Model Six

Those of you who read our previous article on the Coravin Model Eleven and Coravin Moments, will want to know about the new Coravin Model Six. 

Coravin, as you may know, is the ultimate wine preserving system that works by injecting inert argon gas into a bottle via the cork, which then reseals itself. The gas pushes the wine back up the needle, out the spout into your glass. What’s left is perfectly preserved for weeks, months and even years. 

Coravin Model Six

The new Model Six is the only system in the Coravin range with a selection of three colours: Candy Apple Red, Silver or Piano Black. Boasting SmartClamps technology, it is easy to use, comes with some awesome accessories and with its chrome accents, is a great blend of elegance and technology. 

Accessories

The Model Six comes with a range of accessories, depending on the package you go for: 

• Argon Gas Capsules: All packages come with spare Coravin Pure capsules.

• Coravin Screw Cap: Simply quickly unscrew your wine cap and replace it with this. Then, use your Coravin as normal.

• Aerator: A click on ‘shower head’ style attachment that aerates your wines as it pours, helping it become smoother and more flavoursome.

• Needle Kit: Change your needle for old, vintage corks or for a fast pour…

• Premium Pedestal Base: Smart, solid base to keep your Coravin upright and looking great in your cabinet.

• Carry Case: Soft, black carry case allowing you to carry your system with you wherever you go! 

Model Six Package Options

Coravin Model Six ‘Core’ - £289

Includes 2 Coravin Pure Capsules, 1 Coravin Screw Cap

Coravin Model Six - £329.

Includes 3 Coravin Pure Capsules, 2 Coravin Screw Caps, and 1 Carry Case

Coravin Model Six ‘Ultimate Wine Lover's Pack’ - £449

Includes 12 Coravin Pure Capsules, 8 Coravin Screw Caps, 1 Carry Case, 1 Aerator, 3 Needle Kit, Premium Pedestal Base

Coravin Model Six ‘Ultimate Wine Journey Pack’ - £549

Includes 3 Coravin Pure Capsules, 2 Coravin Screw Caps, 1 Carry Case, 1 Aerator, 3 Needle Kit, Premium Pedestal Base, 1 12-Pack of Capsules, 1 6-Pack of standard Screwcaps

Coravin: The ultimate wine preservation gadget?

Head to any restaurant that’s rather proud of its wine list and chances are you’ll spot a quirky looking gadget by the side of the bar. This is Coravin: a needle-based wine preservation system that allows you to pour a glass of wine without pulling the cork. Pretty nifty, no? Coravin has revolutionised the way we taste wine in bars and restaurants as establishments can now offer a tasting sample of something really rather expensive and special without worrying about wasting the rest of the bottle. For consumers, this works well; it may allow them to taste a Screaming Eagle Cabernet without having to splash several thousand pounds on a full bottle. That tasting sample may still be £100 for 25ml, but at least it’s a little more attainable…

How does Coravin work?

The Coravin was invented by Greg Lambrecht: a surgeon from the US with a true passion for wine. Like most wine lovers, Greg found tasting many different bottles a pure joy, but hated having to wait for dinner parties full of people to pop the corks and not waste the bottles. One day, he brought his experience with spinal tap and chemotherapy needles to the table. He developed a device that allowed a thin needle to pierce a cork and displace the wine with inert argon gas while it was being poured. The addition of argon gas meant that the wine left in the bottle would not oxidise, but the genius bit was working out that the cork would reseal itself immediately (or after a few seconds if very cold).

When to use Coravin at home

“A Coravin is a wine bar in your house. You are only limited by the amount of different bottles you have. Why not have a great wine on a wednesday!” - Greg Lambrecht

The first cry from wine drinkers when presented with this funky little gadget tends to be ‘but we drink the whole bottle!’ I confess, this was me until I realised that we could taste six (or more) different wines in one night. It’s also the perfect way to check whether a wine you have been laying down is ready to drink. Just pour yourself a sip and put it back if its not ready. The latest version, model 11, also comes with a little shower attachment to aerate your wine.

“Faster, easier more fun than opening a bottle…”

The models

Coravin model 1 is the original, analogue version that comes in white. You can upgrade your colour and feel with the model 2 elite, choosing from rose gold, steel blue or even, bright red amongst others. If you really want to go to town, then the model 11 is for you. Fully automated and rechargeable, you can hook it up to bluetooth. It has an LED display that lets you know when to charge it or replace the capsule. You can also sync it up to the Coravin Moments app (iphone only currently), to match wine to music, food or anything else.

What about Screw Caps?

Believe it or not, there is now a screw cap attachment for the Coravin. It looks like quite like a regular screw cap, but with a silicon seal that reseals itself after the needle has pierced it. You do need to quickly replace the first screw cap with this, so a small amount of oxygen gets into the bottle then, but the wine can still last for several weeks if kept cool and on its side. Each Coravin screw cap can be reused up to 100 times.

Our verdict? It’s a wondrous thing and a great conversation piece at a dinner party. No wine lover should be without one.

See more at coravin.com

Buy Coravin Elite 2 here on Amazon. RRP £257.66

Buy Coravin Model 11 here from Wanderlust wine. RRP £845

By Helena Nicklin