Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Check out our collated list of most commonly asked questions regarding Coravin wine by-the-glass systems below.
Coravin Models and Their Differences
What are the differences between the Coravin models?
The main differences between Coravin models are:
- Timeless systems work best with natural corks and preserve for months or years. Timeless is also great with Screwcap wines using the supplied Screwcap Adapter.
- Pivot Systems work on any bottle since you remove the closure and replace it with a special stopper. Pivot preserves wines up to 4 weeks.
- Coravin Sparkling is specially designed for sparkling wines to preserve flavor and bubbles perfectly up to 4 weeks
Which Coravin system should you buy?
- If you're passionate about trying new wines, collecting, and savoring every sip without the commitment of opening an entire bottle, then you should absolutely buy our classic Coravin Timeless
- If you're a casual wine drinker who enjoys the convenience of screw caps and synthetic corks, and seeks a short-term preservation solution to keep your opened bottles fresh for a few weeks, then Coravin Pivot is a great choice.
- If you're more of a bubbly person who loves sparkling wines then you should get the Sparkling system.
How is the Coravin Timeless different from other wine preservation systems?
Coravin systems control the contents of the bottle from start to finish so no oxygen gets in. Other preservation systems only cap the bottle after you have mixed it with the air while pouring. Once you pour the first glass without protection from the air, the oxidation process begins and can’t be stopped. Coravin protects wines from damaging oxygen, so they are perfect for weeks, months, or years.
How is the Pivot System different from other Coravin Systems?
With the Coravin Pivot System, you replace the closure with a specially designed Pivot Stopper so you can pour the bottle while preventing oxygen from mixing with the wine.
Because you remove the closure, Pivot works with every bottle type – Cork, Synthetic, Screwcap, and Glass. Pivot preserves perfectly for up to 4 weeks, so the last glass tastes as fresh as the first.
Greg Lambrecht the Founder and Inventor of Coravin Demonstrates the Differences Between Systems Below
Coravin Compatibility
Does Coravin work with bottles larger than the standard 750ml size?
While Coravin is made to work with standard 750ml wine bottles, it can also be used on most magnums (1.5L). Remember that in rare circumstances, damaged or flawed wine bottles may break under any pressure, so we provide a Coravin Bottle Sleeve to reduce the likelihood of injury should your bottle break. If the sleeve does not fit your magnum bottle, please find an alternate such as a cloth wrap.
We strongly recommend you do NOT access larger formats (3L+) with any Coravin System. The clamp is not designed for these bottles and the risk of a bottle break due damage or flaws is greater.
Does Coravin Timeless work on all wine closures?
Coravin Timeless Systems will work with Natural Cork and with Screwcaps (using the supplied Screwcap Adapter)
Coravin Pivot can work with any type of closure (synthetic cork, screwcaps, and glass) since you replace the closure with a specialty Stopper.
Can I use the Coravin Timeless system with screw cap bottles?
Yes! Coravin Timeless systems work with screwcap bottles using the Screwcap Adapter that os provided with most all Timeless systems. If you don’t have the screwcap adapter, just check out Coravin.com
Using the Screwcap adapter, wines are preserved for about 3 months.
Does Coravin work on Sparkling wines?
For sparkling wines we have an exclusive system, Coravin Sparkling.
To use, you simply...
- pop your bottle of sparkling wine as you normally would.
- After you've enjoyed all you want, place this Stopper on top of the opened bottle.
- It's the only stopper in the world that works on any bottle of sparkling, engineered to create a tight, secure seal that prevents any gas from escaping or oxygen from penetrating.
- Next, take the Coravin Sparkling charger and place it on top of the Stopper.
- Press down on the Sopper and watch the Status Indicator go from green to red and back to green, meaning it has filled the headspace of the bottle with CO2.
And that's it!
With the stopper in place and the CO2 injected, your sparkling wine is now preserved (move bottle upside down etc).
You can store the bottle in your fridge, and the wine will maintain its freshness and bubbles for up to 4 weeks.
Whenever you want another glass, just remove the stopper, pour, and then reseal and recharge the bottle.
What's really innovative about this system is the use of pure CO2 at an optimized pressure.
Sparkling wines get their bubbles from the CO2 that's naturally produced during the fermentation process.
Can the Coravin Sparkling™ Wine Preservation System be used with still wines?
No. This is an important safety note.
The Coravin Sparkling System is designed for use with sparkling wines ONLY.
Sparkling Wine bottles are designed to hold high pressures.
Do not use the Sparkling System on still wines.
Using the Coravin Sparkling System on ANY bottle that is not designed to hold high pressures is dangerous and may result in serious injury.
Coravin Usage and Features
How does using the Coravin aerator while pouring affect the wine?
The Coravin Aerator pours wine in the form of a small shower. As the droplets of wine pass through the air, they combine with the oxygen in the air and the result is equivalent to decanting the wine for 60-90 minutes, so there is no waiting to enjoy the perfect glass of wine!
How do you use a Coravin Timeless system?
The Coravin Timeless system works by using a pure argon gas capsule and a thin, hollow needle that gently passes through the cork. Argon is an inert, food-safe gas that does not react with the wine at all, so it doesn't affect the taste.
To pour a glass,
- Before accessing the bottle, press the trigger to confirm there is gas installed and to purge any air out of the system.
- Then align the clamp with the top of the bottle and push down in one smooth motion so that the SmartClamps grasp the bottle neck and then the needle pushes through the cork.
- Hold the body of the Bottle with one hand and use your other hand to hold the Coravin handle with one finger on the trigger.
- Tilt the bottle like you would pouring any glass of wine with the spout positioned over an empty wine glass.
- Give the trigger 2-3 quick presses presses to get the wine flowing. When the trigger is pressed, gas is going into the bottle. Wine will flow when you RELEASE the trigger.
- Press and release the trigger as needed to keep wine flowing. It may take ~ 25 seconds to pour a full glass of wine.
- When you have poured what you want, simply tilt the bottle up to stop the wine flow.
- Remove the Coravin system by holding the bottle at an angle and grasp the Coravin system by the handle on the TOP, pull the Coravin system off in one smooth motion.
- Rinse the Coravin system under tap water through the spout
The natural cork will reseal itself.
What does the Coravin Timeless Screw Cap accessory do?
The Coravin Timeless Screwcap accessory allows you to use the Timeless systems on Screwcap bottles by mimicking a cork with a silicone plug. It is sized to fit most screwcaps.
How should you store a bottle after using Coravin?
Storage of your wine after using any Coravin System is simple:
- Keep your wines stored as you would any wine – Cool Dark places.
- Use the right temperature – white wines like it colder than red.
- Cooler colder environments help extend preservation
- Keep them out of the light
- Lay your bottles on their side if you have space
- Corks work better when kept wet with wine
- Pivot and Sparkling also work well on their sides if you have space, but are OK standing up as well
Does using Coravin multiple times damage the cork?
Generally, No. You can use Coravin multiple times on the same cork with no issue. However, there are limits. The needle can damage the cork after ~ 15 uses, so if you plan to dispense a bottle one ounce at a time (25 punctures), you should consider replacing the cork after ~ 15 uses. This can be done fairly easily.
How long do Coravin needles last?
The Coravin needle is designed to last well over 500 times with no loss of performance on average. Colder harder corks may shorten the life a bit. You should keep the needle clean by wiping any wine off the outside. The needle is delicate, so use care when pushing the needle into or removing from a bottle.
The needle is replaceable, so if it bends or breaks, or if you notice that the dark coating is worn off, its time for a new one. There are several different types of needles – Standard, Fast Pour, Vintage (for older corks) and Premium. Having spares on hand is advisable.
Do I remove the cork when using the Pivot?
Yes, remove the cork with a corkscrew and immediately replace it with the Pivot Stopper.
Does the Pivot System require a Coravin Needle?
No, it does not. The Pivot is equipped with a Wine Tube that allows easy access to the wine through the Stopper.
Cleaning and Maintenance
How do you clean the Coravin needle?
There are three things you can do to keep your needle working well:
- After use, run a little tap water back through the spout – this will clear any wine residue from inside the needle.
- Run some tap water over the outside of the needle and dry with a soft cloth. This keeps sticky wine residue from building up on the needle.
- Keep the needle clear. Cork bits can sometimes get into the needle and reduce flow or clog it. Use the Needle Clearing tool supplied with the system (it is tucked in the Quick Start Guide) to clear the needle of any obstructions.
Do you need to clean the Coravin system between pouring red and white wines?
It is good practice to keep your Coravin System clean to prevent cross contamination.
- After use, rinse with tap water at the spout
- Rinse the system overall – especially the clamp area - to keep sticky wine from building up
- Keep your needle clean
- Keep the Capsule Cup Threads clean (do this before inserting a new Gas Capsule)
- If you think you have a wine with a bacteria such as Bret, consider running a bit of alcohol through the system to prevent any transfer to other wine bottles.
Coravin Capsules
What is a Coravin Pure™ Capsule?
Coravin Pure Capsules power all Coravin wine by the glass systems. They are specially produced for us with the purest Argon gas housed in ultra clean steel capsules to ensure that your wine is preserved in the best possible way for months or years.
Why does Coravin use Argon Gas in their capsules?
Coravin uses pure Argon gas for wine preservation for several reasons.
- Argon gas is “inert”. This means that it does not react with the wine and will not impact the taste or other qualities of the wine.
- Argon has been known and trusted by winemakers around the world for many generations as a gas that will not interact with the wine.
- Argon is a naturally occurring gas that is clean and safe
- It prevents wine oxidation and is the best preservative available.
How long do the capsules last?
Each Coravin argon capsule will allow you to pour up to 15 150ml glasses of wine with Timeless systems or 20 150ml glasses with Pivot.
To make sure you are getting the most out of every pour, follow the tips for Timeless systems outlined below:
- Check to make sure the needle is tightly attached.
- Quickly press and release the trigger 3-5 times to start the flow of wine.
- If the flow of wine slows, quickly press and release the trigger again.
- Reminder: It takes 25-30 seconds to pour a 5-ounce glass with Timeless.
- When you are down to 1 glass left in the bottle, pull the cork to save gas.
- Trade secret: If you are pouring multiple glasses, press and hold the trigger halfway down, the wine and the argon will stop, move over the other glass, release the trigger to continue pouring.
What Capsules does Coravin Sparkling Use?
Coravin Sparkling, a product designed to preserve the fizz and freshness of sparkling wines after opening the bottle, uses Coravin Pure™ Sparkling CO2 Capsules. These capsules are specifically engineered to work with the Coravin Sparkling system.
Each Coravin Pure™ Sparkling CO2 Capsule has the capacity to preserve up to 7 standard 750ml bottles of sparkling wine. However, the actual number of bottles that can be preserved by a single capsule may vary depending on the amount of wine poured each time.
The wine preservation process works by replacing the volume of wine poured from the bottle with an equivalent amount of CO2 gas from the capsule. This means that the more wine you pour from a bottle in a single serving, the more CO2 gas will be used from the capsule to replace it.
Can I use non-Coravin Capsules with the Coravin devices?
No. You should use only genuine Coravin Capsules for multiple reasons of Safety, Performance, Wine Quality and Warranty.
- Genuine Coravin capsules are designed and tested with Coravin Systems for safety and performance. We know they are safe for you and your wine.
- Copy Capsules come from unknown sources and may contain impurities that affect your wine and may be unsafe for human consumption.
- Copy Capsules may be of an unsafe design. Coravin suppliers follow the strictest cylinder design, testing and certification standards.
- Copy Capsules may not contain as much gas, so they may run out much faster.
- Using non-Coravin capsules may void your warranty as they are considered improper use.
There are copycat capsules out there. Stick with genuine Coravin Pure Capsules for guaranteed results.
For more detailed information on Coravin Capsules, their usage, and compatibility with different Coravin devices, visit our support page here.
Does Pivot use the same Coravin Pure™ Capsules?
Yes, the Pivot System uses the same, trusted Coravin Pure™ Capsules as the original Coravin Systems.
Returns & Shipping
What is Coravin’s return policy?
If you purchased a Coravin System directly from www.coravin.com and are not completely satisfied with your product, you may return it within thirty (30) days of the purchase date. In order to return your Coravin System, please contact Customer Service at csr@coravin.com to receive a return merchandise authorization (RMA) number.
We will reimburse you (excluding original shipping charges) for the purchase price of the returned Coravin System no later than thirty (30) days from the date of our receipt of such returned products accompanied by the applicable RMA. Any refund provided will be made to the original payment method.
Please note: Coravin Capsules are non-returnable and will not be refunded.
If you purchased your Coravin System at one of our authorized retailers, please contact them directly for their return policy information.
Can I return my Coravin System if I purchased it from a retailer?
No, the 30 day money back guarantee is only offered to those who purchase directly from www.coravin.com. Contact your retailer for information on their return policy.
My order arrived damaged. What do I do?
If you notice the damage before accepting the package, please refuse delivery and contact Coravin Customer Service.
If you do not see the damage until you have opened the package, please contact Coravin Customer Service.
What is Coravin's warranty policy?
We at Coravin provide a one-year warranty for devices purchased from us or our authorized resellers/partners, starting from the date of purchase or delivery (whichever is later). The warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and care. We may require proof of purchase to verify the purchase date.
We will repair or replace, at our discretion, any device that fails to comply with this warranty. The warranty does not cover devices purchased from unauthorized sellers or any loss or damage to wine associated with the use of the Coravin product. Additional exclusions and limitations may apply.
For more information, video tutorials, demonstrations and information about our needles, aerators and more, visit the Coravin Support page or contact our Customer Support team.
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