Has anyone used a Coravin

Has anyone used the Coravin? I'm thinking of splurging on one. I can never finish a bottle and paying upwards for 40 per bottle and only getting one glass while sharing definitely hits the bills.

http://www.coravin.com/

[David M. Bueker]

There have been numerous discussions elsewhere giving generally positive reviews. I don't have one, but I tend to consume a bottle over 2 evenings, so it's not needed.

[Robin Garr]

I tend to consume a bottle over 2 evenings, so it's not needed.

This is pretty much where this household has been since all the way back to the Vacu-Vin (which I've followed since the very start ): A half-bottle generally keeps just fine on the table overnight or in the fridge for a few days. I don't find any perceptible improvement - or any real gains in extended time - using any of the alternatives that have come along so far.

Perhaps the best option is the wine-geek trick of carefully decanting half of the just-opened bottle into a clean, sanitized 375, with as little oxygen exposure as possible - and then recorking it tightly. It's not a huge effort, but to be honest, I've rarely bothered.

I cannot recommend it enough! It has had an enormous impact on my wine drinking! Allowing friends to taste more or less what they like, throwing impromptu vertical tastings at home just to see how the wines develop etc.

Greetings from Sweden / Fredrik L

[Jenise]

I cannot recommend it enough! It has had an enormous impact on my wine drinking! Allowing friends to taste more or less what they like, throwing impromptu vertical tastings at home just to see how the wines develop etc.

Greetings from Sweden / Fredrik L

What friends of mine report. As well as getting a chance yourself to check on the progress of a given wine.

Hi,

I am about to start using my newly purchased Coravin system.
The reasons I got one:
1. I can pour a glass of any bottle without actually opening the bottle, not on that day or any other day in the following months.
2. I can meet with few friends and have a pour out of several bottles, without drinking too much while keeping the bottles sealed for future drinking.
3. I can take a minimum sample of a new release to decide how much I like it and when should I actually drink it
4. When I take a rare bottle to an event, I can sample it and make sure it is not corked or oxidized.
5. the added cost per a tasting size pour of 2.5-3 Oz (75-90 ml) is less than 40 Cents.

Eli

I tend to consume a bottle over 2 evenings, so it's not needed.

A half-bottle generally keeps just fine on the table overnight or in the fridge for a few days. I don't find any perceptible improvement - or any real gains in extended time - using any of the alternatives that have come along so far.

I agree with that where young wines (say < 5 years old) are concerned. But older wines, especially 10+ years old, which make up most of my cellar, tend to go off rapidly once opened. Usually it is no hardship to finish the bottle but I am beginning to be concerned by the effect of that on our health. So I am tempted by a Coravin. However its price of €299 could buy quite a few bottles of, say, good Riesling. Quite a dilemma .

[Robin Garr]

I agree with that where young wines (say < 5 years old) are concerned. But older wines, especially 10+ years old, which make up most of my cellar, tend to go off rapidly once opened.

Good point, Tim. Thanks for pointing out an aspect that I hadn't considered.