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Coravin Timeless Six The latest model Coravin Timeless Three The original Coravin system Coravin Pivot The budget-friendly option Coravin Sparkling A wine preservation system for Champagne and sparkling wines Whenever I grill winemakers, sommeliers and writers about tools and technology, one piece of equipment comes up again and again. Coravin systems make it possible to preserve opened wine bottles at home, allowing you to drink as much or as little as you want without the risk of spoilage if you don't finish it in time. The device works by clamping onto a wine bottle and inserting a needle through the cork, letting you pour and taste without exposing the wine to oxygen, which would otherwise ruin it. The sophisticated technology goes beyond simple preservation for your prized Pinot Noirs and Sangioveses. As you pour, the system injects argon -- an inert gas -- into the bottle to maintain pressure and prevent even minimal oxidation of the remaining wine. When used correctly, Coravin can keep wines fresh -- whether red, white, or anything in between -- for months or even years. If you regularly buy good bottles of wine but don't care to drink them in one sitting, you're free to pour a single glass of that special Châteauneuf-du-Pape whenever you darn well please and then pop it back on the rack for later. It's also an excellent gift for someone who cooks with wine, since you can add a cup or two to a recipe and save the rest for another night. In this guide, we'll outline the three primary Coravin wine preservation systems, explain how they work, and discuss their costs so you can choose the best one for your needs.
