Why doesn't my wine stopper work?

September 12, 2009 1:39 PM

I'm accustomed to wine stoppers that look like this, but last night at the LCBO I was sold one that looks like this. It doesn't fit in either of my (presumably standard) wine bottles. How do I work this thing?
posted by thisjax to food & drink (8 comments total)

You put the colored part in the bottle, then flip the latch down. That will make the colored part get bigger and fill up the neck.
posted by lore at 1:41 PM on September 12

The lever on top causes the diameter of the part that goes in the bottle to increase. You stick it in the bottle and flip the lever to seal it.
posted by ssg at 1:41 PM on September 12

I have the exact same one from the LCBO - you just stick the red part in like a cork and then clamp down the metal piece to create suction and it stops up the bottle.
posted by meerkatty at 1:41 PM on September 12

Alright, this is embarrassing, but I was trying to flip the latch in the wrong direction. It all makes so much more sense now. Thanks, though.

I can't believe I wasted a question on this.
posted by thisjax at 2:00 PM on September 12 [1 favorite has favorites]

If it makes you feel any better, I work in a liquor store and those are our #1 returned item. I don't know if it's because they couldn't figure it out, or if they're just generally crummy :)
posted by lizjohn at 5:11 PM on September 12

Do they have a pump to get the air out? That's the best bit about the other kind - you can remove most of the air, and the wine is (I think) supposed to keep longer.
posted by jb at 5:31 PM on September 12

I like those a lot - they will keep the bubbles in your champagne
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 10:46 PM on September 12

jb: there's no pump on this stopper. However, I only paid ~$1.50 for it and it provides a more convenient option than trying to re-cork a bottle, so I can't complain.
posted by thisjax at 8:28 AM on September 14