Using the Durand®

The Durand® is simple and easy to use…when used correctly. Take a moment to see how it is done.

Diagram of The Durand's parts: helix, stabilizer bar, blades and handle
Four-step illustration of how to use The Durand
Step 1: screw the helix into the center of the cork until the stabilizer bar rests on top

Screw helix into center of cork until stabilizer bar rests against top of cork (or bottle).

Step 2: insert the long blade, then the short blade, between cork and bottle

With blades on either side of stabilizer bar, insert first the “long” then “short” blade between the cork and bottle.

Step 3: rock the handle to work the blades down until it meets the stabilizer bar

Work the blades down between the cork and bottle by pressing down alternately over each blade using the handle. Continue this “rocking” motion until the bottom of the handle rests against the top of the stabilizer bar.

Step 4: grasp the stabilizer bar and handle together; twist and pull upward to remove the cork

Hold the bottle securely. With the other hand grasp the stabilizer bar and handle together and twist, then pull upward slowly continuing to twist to remove the cork.

Even with the stability and support offered by the Durand®, the very oldest and more fragile corks may benefit from a little added care. Use your fingers on the cork near the neck of the bottle to help ‘nurse’ the cork during the later stages of removal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if the cork is very old, dry or soaked through?
The blades are hard to get started. What am I doing wrong?
Can The Durand® remove a cork that has already broken or slipped down into the neck?
Will The Durand® work on every cork?

Precautions and Disclaimers

The Durand® is intended to remove only older, fragile corks from bottles with an inside neck opening of approximately 3/4 inch.  DO NOT USE on corks in bottles with an inside neck diameter of less than 3/4 inch.  DO NOT USE on non-cork bottle stoppers.

The cork container supplied with The Durand® contains small magnets that could present a choking hazard to small children.

Keep The Durand® and the cork container out of the reach of children.

Although The Durand® has proven to be effective in removing old, fragile corks, Wining Taylors, LLC makes no guarantee that it will be useful or effective in removing every bottle cork.

For the moments that matter

Own The Durand®

The Durand® removes old and fragile corks whole and undamaged — so the bottle you've saved for decades opens exactly as it should.

Shop The Durand®

“The Durand® is invaluable! As a floor sommelier with some older offerings, I haven’t had any corks disintegrate from usage of the Durand®, even some real mules which are notorious for making cork dust (50’s Bordeaux, late 60’s Napa) Thanks for the great product!”

Jason Caballero
Advanced Sommelier (Court of Master Sommeliers), Lead Sommelier Michael Mina's Bourbon Steak

“It has been the most valuable wine tool I have ever used… The Durand® has been so valuable I hope everyone gets one and enjoys it…”

AJ McClellan
Owner of Roots and Water Fine Wines

“I have opened hundreds of bottles flawlessly with The Durand®. Typical issues of problem cork removal are eliminated with The Durand’s® unique ability to stabilize the cork during extraction, eliminating side tension, the primary cause of cork fracture and breakage. It is a “must-have” tool for the wine enthusiast and Sommelier to avoid cork removal issues.

I give The Durand® my highest recommendation.”

Jack Rubyn
Chairman, International Wine & Food Society, Haskell Norman Branch, Marin County California

“At the American Wine Society National Conference Nov. 7-9, we had a vertical tasting of Faustino Gran Reserva Rioja back to 1964. The presenter brought his Durand and it opened the ’64, ’70, ’82 and ’00 Faustino’s without a single broken cork. The picture shows him holding the unbroken cork from the ’64 with The Durand nearby.”

John Hames
Executive Director, American Wine Society

“When opening some of the world’s oldest and rarest wines, there is only one option, The Durand. It is the single greatest wine opener on the planet, and I don’t leave home without it.”

David Wainwright
International Fine Wine Advisor

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