There are thousands of clever devices for removing a cork from a bottle of wine.  Most of them do a poor job of it and require excessive force. 

    But now there is a better way to remove a cork, i.e. a better corkscrew.  In the wine town of Greve, located in the heart of the Black Rooster Chianti Classico region, you will find a small shop that sells souvenirs of the region.  It is operated by the Conzorzio del Gallo Nero, the trade organization that maintains the standards for Chianti wines.  In addition to the obligatory t-shirts and other gadgetsyou will find the better corkscrew. 

    The Gallo Nero device works better than any other corkscrew we have ever used.  It has a simple foil cutter and a two-stage lever.  Of course, it also has a screw that is inserted into the cork.  What makes this corkscrew different and superior is a simple spring-loaded slide that allows the first stage of the lever to be properly positioned to remove a cork the first 1/2 inch or so.  It really works and makes pulling a cork a snap.

    The days of the cork in wine bottles probably is numbered.  Screw-top closures are spreading rapidly around the wine world because they are much less expensive and reduce spoilage due to bad corks (corkage).  But this conversion will take many years, and in the meantime if your are in Greve stop into the Gallo Nero shop and add one of their corkscrews to your souvenirs.  They cost about 15 euro.  (If you don't mind some advertising on the corkscrew, just walk 100 yards to the excellent enoteca in Greve and purchase the same corkscrew for 5 euro).