The history of Coravin
Revolutionizing Wine Service for Sommeliers
In the world of sommeliers, who are the experts in wine, something new has changed everything. These experts are known for their skill in choosing the right wine, knowing how to prepare it, and making sure every glass of wine they serve is excellent. But now, there's a clever invention called Coravin that has brought big changes to their world.
We are going to talk about how this clever Coravin device has changed the way sommeliers work. It has made a big impact on the wine world. With Coravin, they can keep expensive and rare wines fresh without opening the whole bottle, and they can offer more wine choices by the glass. Coravin has become a must-have tool for sommeliers, and it's making the wine experience even better.
Let's explore how Coravin works and its history. With Coravin, sommeliers are keeping their old traditions and moving into the future, where serving wine is easier, more exciting, and more accessible.
Coravin is a brand of wine preservation system that allows you to pour wine from a bottle without actually removing the cork. The device uses a thin, hollow needle to access the wine without breaking the seal of the cork. When the needle is inserted, argon gas is used to displace the wine in the bottle, and as a result, wine can be poured out. Since the cork remains in place and the bottle's contents are not exposed to oxygen, the wine is preserved and can be enjoyed over an extended period without spoiling.
Coravin is a popular choice among wine enthusiasts and collectors who want to enjoy a glass of wine without opening an entire bottle. It's particularly useful for preserving valuable or aged wines that benefit from being consumed slowly over time.
Coravin was invented by Greg Lambrecht, a former nuclear engineer and medical device inventor, who was inspired to create the device because of his love for wine. The idea for Coravin came to him when he realized that he often had to open an entire bottle of wine even when he only wanted a glass or two. This led to the problem of oxidation, where the wine's quality would deteriorate over time once the bottle was opened.
In the late 1990s, Lambrecht began to think about a way to pass a needle through the cork, pour a glass, and remove the needle—without introducing oxygen into the wine.
A decade and multiple iterations of his concept later, Lambrecht founded Coravin in 2013.
Greg remembers sitting in his cellar one day when his wife was pregnant with their second child. She had stopped drinking, so he had all these bottles in front of him that were all in that category of “too good to drink.” What he really wanted to do was taste five or six of them. He was frustrated with the fact that he had to consume wine in the volume that it was sold to him.
He conceived the idea in 1999 and successfully crafted the first high-quality prototype in 2003. His method involved tasting a bottle from a half case and returning a month later to compare it with a fresh bottle of the same wine, examining if any distinctions emerged. This rigorous testing continued for six months, one year, two years, and five years. It was at the five-year mark, where he could no longer discern any distinction, that he realized he had perfected the system.
After years of development and testing, the first Coravin wine preservation systems were introduced to the market in 2013. Since then, Coravin has gained popularity among wine enthusiasts, restaurants, and collectors, as it allows them to enjoy wine by the glass while keeping the rest of the bottle fresh for an extended period. Coravin's innovative technology has had a significant impact on the way wine is served and preserved, especially when it comes to more valuable or aged wines.
Beyond its impact on wine offerings, Coravin has also transformed the art of wine pairing. Sommeliers can now craft dynamic tasting menus that perfectly complement each dish, as they are liberated from the constraints of finishing an entire bottle in a single service. This newfound flexibility encourages creative pairings and showcases the depth and versatility of their expertise, enhancing the overall dining experience for customers.
The Coravin device features a thin, hollow needle that is inserted through the cork of the wine bottle. This needle is designed to be very narrow to minimize any damage to the cork. After the needle is inserted, the Coravin system pressurizes the bottle with inert argon gas. Argon is an odorless, tasteless, and non-reactive gas that is commonly used in the wine industry to prevent oxidation.
When the bottle is pressurized, the wine is forced up through the needle and into the glass. The pressure from the argon gas allows the wine to flow without oxygen entering the bottle. It essentially replaces the wine that's been poured with the argon gas to maintain the bottle's internal pressure. Once you've poured the desired amount of wine, the Coravin system removes the needle. Remarkably, the cork reseals itself naturally due to its elasticity. This process ensures that the remaining wine inside the bottle is protected from oxidation.
In essence, Coravin preserves wine by preventing the wine from coming into contact with oxygen. This is important because exposure to oxygen is the primary reason wine deteriorates and loses its flavor and aroma over time. With Coravin, you can enjoy a glass of wine from a bottle and then reseal it, allowing you to continue preserving the wine for weeks, months, or even years, depending on the quality and age of the wine.
Since its creation, this tool had a significant impact on the restaurant and wine bar industry, transforming the way wine is served, stored, and offered to customers.
Here are some key impacts:
Expanded Wine Offerings: Coravin allows restaurants and wine bars to offer a broader and more diverse selection of wines by the glass.
Preservation of Premium Wines: Restaurants can now serve premium and rare wines by the glass without the risk of the entire bottle going to waste.
Enhanced Wine Pairings: With the ability to pour individual glasses of wine, sommeliers and restaurant staff can create more dynamic and flexible wine pairings to complement the menu.
Cost Savings: Coravin reduces wine waste, as it eliminates the need to discard unfinished bottles.
Attractive Wine Programs: The use of Coravin can distinguish a restaurant or wine bar as a destination for wine enthusiasts. It can enhance the establishment's reputation and attract a loyal customer base, including wine connoisseurs seeking unique experiences.
Wine Quality Maintenance: Coravin ensures that the wine remains in excellent condition even after multiple pours.
Educational Opportunities: Restaurants and wine bars can use Coravin as an educational tool. They can host wine tastings, flights, and pairing events to educate customers about different wines and wine regions.
The longevity of wine preserved with Coravin can vary depending on several factors, including the type of wine, its age, and how well you've maintained the Coravin system. However, Coravin is designed to keep wine in good condition for an extended period.
Coravin offers a diverse range of wine preservation options to cater to a wide spectrum of preferences and needs. Whether you're a casual wine enthusiast or a seasoned sommelier, there's a Coravin model designed to meet your specific requirements. From the basic yet effective Coravin Model Three, ideal for those new to wine preservation, to the more advanced and feature-rich Coravin Model Eleven with Bluetooth connectivity and a custom pour feature, there's a Coravin to suit various user levels. With different designs, features, and price points, Coravin ensures that wine lovers have a variety of choices to elevate their wine experience, allowing them to explore, enjoy, and preserve their favorite wines at their own pace.
Introduced to the market in late 2020 Coravin offers now a specific system designed to work with sparkling wines, such as Champagne or other bubbly varieties. The Coravin Sparkling Wine Preservation System works on a similar principle to the standard Coravin system, but it's tailored to handle the unique characteristics of sparkling wines. The Coravin Sparkling Wine System preserves the crisp flavor and effervescence of your favorite sparkling wines for up to 4 weeks, guaranteeing that the last glass will taste just as amazing as the first.
The cost of a Coravin wine preservation system can vary depending on the specific model and any additional accessories included in the package. Coravin Model Three is the more affordable option and typically falls in the range of $200 to $300. The system, designed for sparkling wines, can cost between $250 and $350. The standard-sized Coravin argon gas capsules typically cost between $10 and $15 each.
The number of glasses you can pour from a single Coravin argon gas capsule can vary depending on several factors, including the Coravin model you're using, the size of the capsule, and how much gas is required for each pour. Generally, a standard-sized Coravin argon gas capsule is designed to pour around 15 glasses (1.5ml pours)
In the world of wine, the Coravin system has emerged as a true game-changer, redefining the boundaries of wine service, preservation, and exploration. This innovative device has not only liberated wine enthusiasts from the constraints of full bottle commitments but has also elevated the art of wine presentation.