Double-lever and Bottle Opener: De Gaulle Corkscrew

The Iconic “de Gaulle” Corkscrew: A Must-Have Bottle Opener

The globally renowned “de Gaulle” corkscrew, featuring a distinctive design with a head and two prominent levers resembling arms, is available in various sizes and styles worldwide. Its name in France is derived from General de Gaulle’s iconic gesture of raising his arms while addressing the public.

@AP Photo/Levy

L’Atelier du Vin has meticulously chosen each component of this corkscrew to ensure its durability and user-friendliness. Our revamped “de Gaulle” corkscrew now includes a specially forged “Teflon-coated” worm and a five-step turn mechanism for a secure grip and effortless extraction of corks.

Durable Components and Foolproof Mechanism

The “de Gaulle” corkscrew, equipped with a robust spiral worm, effortlessly extracts any cork type without causing damage. Its ingenious self-centering base assists in accurate positioning on the bottle’s neck before gently penetrating the cork.

We intentionally maintained the corkscrew’s body, crafted from exceptionally resilient zamak, in its original raw state, adorned with a simple coat of transparent varnish and devoid of chrome or paint, highlighting its rugged nature. Its striking matte black rivets and oversized gears further accentuate its robust personality. The “de Gaulle” winged corkscrew by L’Atelier du Vin exudes a strong and authentic aura at first glance.

This iconic corkscrew, both a practical everyday tool and a cherished object, seamlessly fits into any home environment. It can be elegantly showcased in a yellow and white decorative case or meticulously packed in a vibrant gift box with a personalized message.

Using a Winged Corkscrew: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Position the worm’s tip upright at the center of the cork.
2. Twist the handle without touching the “wings” or levers, allowing them to rise automatically.
3. Press down both levers to extract the cork from the bottle’s neck.

The Most Popular L’Atelier du Vin Corkscrew

L’Atelier du Vin, a family-owned French wine tool manufacturer since 1926, inherits its savoir-faire from the Champagne wine region, passed down from father to son. We have created an enhanced version of the traditional winged corkscrew to share our passion for the art of wine appreciation.

This beloved bottle opener, featuring an instantly recognizable silhouette, holds a special place among the French population as one of their favorite table utensils. The “de Gaulle” corkscrew is cherished and used for family gatherings and sharing excellent bottles of wine with friends across generations.

Hence, it holds a distinct position within our collection of sommelier tools and oenology accessories, where each corkscrew possesses its unique story and character.

History of the Winged Corkscrew

The original winged corkscrew was invented in England at the end of the 19th century by William Baker. Neville Heeley later refined its mechanism by connecting the bottle opener’s arms with a sliding collar that descended along the middle as the worm penetrated the cork.

Dominick Rosati added the final touch in the 1930s with the foolproof rack and pinion system, enhancing the double lever mechanism’s reliability.

This wine tool gained significant popularity in France after the war, eventually being named after General de Gaulle. L’Atelier du Vin’s creators have added their unique touch to this historical corkscrew, maintaining its original design while incorporating a Teflon-coated worm for enhanced ease of use.

A User-Friendly and Versatile Corkscrew

The de Gaulle winged corkscrew serves as a versatile sommelier bottle opener. Its head features a large bottle opener, allowing gentle removal of caps from beer bottles or lemonade, regardless of size. This means you only need one tool to uncork wine bottles or open any fizzy drink.

This reliable and user-friendly corkscrew’s dual lever mechanism enables efficient and effortless cork extraction. Its renowned design combines the benefits of an endless corkscrew with those of a lever corkscrew. The pressure required to extract the cork is distributed evenly across both arms, reducing the effort by half compared to a single lever system.

From an Everyday Corkscrew to a Collector’s Bottle Opener

Winged corkscrews offer a gentle approach to opening wine bottles. Simply screw the worm into the cork and press down on the wings to extract it. Our “de Gaulle” corkscrew, characterized by its signature raw zamak and Teflon coating, represents the essence of L’Atelier du Vin’s design. Whether stored in a kitchen drawer or proudly displayed on the family dinner table, this bottle opener is the perfect tool to open a bottle of wine and embark on a delightful tasting experience.

Fortunate wine enthusiasts and wine tool collectors may receive a pleasant surprise when opening our collector’s boxes, discovering a vintage winged bottle opener. L’Atelier du Vin has meticulously restored rare, limited-edition winged corkscrews with fully functional original mechanisms and intact spiral worms, exclusively for you. Just like exceptional vintages, our collector’s corkscrews only improve with time.