One of the biggest challenges when opening a bottle of wine is preventing the cork from breaking. This becomes even trickier with older bottles because corks degrade over time. Why? Corks are made from the fibrous tissue of the cork tree, and while they are naturally near-impermeable, they don’t last forever. Typically, a cork’s structural integrity begins to weaken after about ten years, often crumbling when extracted.

To solve this issue, wine professionals use a special tool designed for older bottles: the Ah So wine opener. Unlike a traditional corkscrew, the Ah So features two prongs—one longer than the other—that slide between the cork and the bottle neck to gently remove the cork without piercing it.

How to Use an Ah So Wine Opener

1) Remove the foil – Since the Ah So doesn’t include a foil cutter, use a separate foil cutter or the small knife on a waiter’s corkscrew.

2) Insert the long prong first – Gently slide the longer prong into the tiny gap between the bottle’s lip and the cork.

3) Insert the shorter prong – Wiggle the Ah So back and forth to ease both prongs down the sides of the cork.

4) Avoid downward pressure – As the handle nears the cork’s surface, be careful not to push, which could force the cork into the bottle.

5) Twist and extract – Once the prongs are about an inch deep, and there's a small gap between the handle and the cork, slowly twist and lift the Ah So to remove the cork.

6) Guide with your fingers – Use two fingers to grip the prongs and cork as you twist, ensuring a smooth extraction.

Mastering the Ah So takes practice, but once you get the hang of it, you'll open aged wines effortlessly—without worrying about crumbling corks.