Main question: does it work and is it worth getting?
I have a hard time finishing 750ml bottles on my own, so I thought getting a Coravin will help me reduce waste. But, they are not cheap. So, before I buy one:
Do they work?
Do wines last a good while after you use the Coravin?
Any positive experiences?
Any negative experiences?
Thank you in advance for your insights.
There’s lots of previous discussion on this. I am particularly sensitive to oxidation and loss of freshness. I would not buy again for myself, although there’s a number of fans here. Overnight, the loss of aroma into the headspace is noticeable, and to my taste the bottle is usually not drinkable after a few days. I’ve followed folks’ guidance to purge air from the needle before using. I get only a marginally better result than adding argon to a half-finished bottle, refrigerating, and consuming the rest no later than the next day. These are often on sale, I see 30% off at $139 right now–the cost of a good bottle of wine–so it’s not a huge deal to try for yourself.
I like mine and would buy again. They are often on sale.
Mostly the same opinion, but I will get another when this one finally breaks (they do break, this is my second) because I am even less happy about other options I have tried over the years. BUT, I would also buy the cheapest model and when on sale. I see no advantage to the “upscale” models. And to the OP, it is the argon capsules that are the bigger cost, not the unit; kind of like ink cartridges are the real cost for computer printers.
I have one and have used it with fairly high success. But these days I wouldn’t trust it for long term storage on high end bottles which is really why I got it in the first place. I thought I could get an early taste and then hold for a couple of years and taste again, and repeat until the wine was ready without going through multiple bottles, but it just doesn’t work out that way.
On the other hand, just to save half a bottle for a day or two, I’ve started using the Repour wine stoppers and love them.
LOTS of threads on this - you should for sure check the search function.
That said, as I’ve mentioned plenty of times before, I’m a huge fan. Its completely changed how I drink wine at home in that I can have glasses from multiple bottles over a longer period of time. I typically use it for short term preservation, and as long as you purge the needle before/after each use, don’t use it on corks that are 20+ years old, and pop the bottle when you’re down to about 1/3 left, my hit rate is SUPER high (like well over 95%).
I have pretty similar views, but I thought bottles that stayed more than half full were usually good for 2-3 weeks. A small group of us were using it for study purposes, tasting blind without knowing that specific bottles had been Coravined, and there was noticeable change after more than 2-3 weeks and in any bottles left less than half full.
They work. But it’s not so foolproof I’d use it for treasured bottles, just in case something went wrong. I typically use it on younger wines and try to drink up within a few weeks. Also, the price on the device and capsules has come down a lot, making this a smaller investment than it once was. Go for it.
Thank you everyone. I appreciate the feedback.
Also great to learn about Repour! Will do some experimenting.
I recently bought one and I love it - it’s the best wine preserver I’ve found.
Since I don’t drink a whole bottle at a sitting (called binging), I’ve saved it in the refrig for up to a week and the wine is about 90% or more of what I recall tasting when I first opened it.
You have to buy one with the needle, not the larger straw that goes through the rubber corks.
These start at $149.
I have not tried Repour.
You can find lower prices on ebay…
Check out Craigslist and Offer Up as well ![[cheers.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/0/0ff9bfcdb0964982cd3240b6159868fbdf215b1a.gif "cheers"){kind=small}
Also keep in mind the needle makes a big difference. The gold one - same diameter as the vintage one but same pour speed as the original - is the best. Vintage is the same for cork preservation, of course, but pour speed is slower.
I’ve used the smaller needles on young wines with fresh corks and had great success preserving wine for several months. I would not risk it on a 40 year old 1st growth…
Try getting some Boston bottles and just pour immediately into them. Not for the long hall but seem to work pretty well. I have a Coravin but use it in conjunction with 375 ml and smaller Boston bottles depending on my needs.
There’s a diversity of opinion, here’s mine:
Works reliably for a week or two.
Aesthetics of pouring are less than appealing to me, YMMV: bottles appear afflicted with BPH.
Not to be trusted long term for precious bottles, as some will oxidize despite doing all the recommended tricks.
Worse than useless for wines with sediment.
Mine has been gathering dust for years. Would give it away to a local who’s interested in trying it, assuming I can find it.
Ebay has a white model one for just $72 (~$80 with shipping)!
My experience is similar to most others in that it is great for keeping a few bottles options over a few week period, but not more than that. We generally use it so we can to a SBS of like wines on multiple nights, or to have some white and red on the same night (or so that “one more glass” stays at “one more glass”). I don’t pay too much attention, but if I had to profile my Coravin’ed bottles, I’d say they are generally under 10 years old and between $20 and $50. Any less, and the gas isn’t typically worth using, and any more, I’m generally opening full bottles anyway. We try to finish them by the next weekend, but we sometimes find a bottle that has made it closer to a month. Some are drain pours, and others aren’t that noticeable.
Sidebar, but those Boston rounds are amazing for trading/sampling spirits in the 2 oz variety, and they are also great to take with you on trips in your carry-on.
Works well for four to five days.
Longer than repour, but I use Boston rounds too.
If I am taking just a glass, then Coravin. If half the bottle, Boston rounds.
If taking to a restaurant, Repour
Dupe
Thanks. I might go the Boston rounds route.
I was planning to use the Coravin to keep under $50 wines drinkable throughout a week as I pour a glass during weeknights. Might be easier just to pour it in Boston rounds if that does the trick equally well for a week.
For expensive bottles, I usually open those with groups of people, so they don’t last so long!
Thanks for the advice everyone.
I bought a Coravin a few months ago and I am completely satisfied with it. I mostly use it for wines I am going finish in a week but plan to try some longer Term storage. I have not any problems with the corks not sealing.