In any kitchen store, big-box store wine aisle, online wine marketer, or brick-and-mortar bottle shop, you’re bound to find a selection of wine foil cutters. But do you really need one, especially when there are so many other fun wine gadgets to shop for, like wine charms, decorative wine bottle stoppers, and cork holders? In this week’s blog, we share everything there is to know about wine foils (why they’re there in the first place, and how to remove them) and wine foil cutters (are they useful, or just more clutter?). Finally, we’ll share recommendations for our favorite wine bottle foil cutters.
Before we continue with our recommendations, though, a little about the KnowWines blog. We are an Amazon.com affiliate and we do receive a small commission if you purchase items through our affiliate links at no cost to you. The commissions we receive help us pay for web hosting fees, our podcast, products to test, and other costs associated with running this site. Thanks for using our affiliate links and supporting our independent blog!
Why is There Foil on My Wine Bottle?
Historically, foil or wax has been used for years to prevent damage to a cork by rural and urban cellar-dwelling animals like mice, opossums, and an assortment of insects.
These days, most of us don’t need to worry about a stray raccoon in the pantry or a cork weevil infestation in a walk-out basement cellar. Regardless, most wineries still use some sort of foil or wax out of a sense of tradition.
There is a trend to move away from wine foils by some winemakers as they do contribute to waste in the environment.
Since these foils are now decorative, winemakers can take advantage of this little bit of marketing space by printing them with nuggets of information like agriculture practices, clever quotes, funny photo, or other details related to their brand. The time you go to the grocery store take a look at a few foils and observe the diversity in how this small space is utilized.
What is Wine Foil Made Of?
Today’s foils are made of tin, aluminum, or shrink-wrap plastic.
Before the late 1990s, wine foils often were made of lead. Thankfully, these types of labels have been phased out, since trace amounts of the toxic element could possibly get into the wine (not a good addition to your drink!).
How are Wine Foils Placed on Wine Bottles?
Ever wonder how those foils get on the bottles? Us, too! Here’s a short video describing how the new foils are placed on a recently filled wine bottles.
How To Remove Foil From a Wine Bottle
There are several ways to remove foil from a wine bottle, including the use of a wine foil cutter. Here’s an overview of different approaches:
The “I Need Wine Now” Approach
Sometimes, you just really need that glass of wine (like, now!).
When those moments arise, you can always insert the corkscrew right through the foil, pop out the cork, and and pour yourself a glass!
The downside of this method is that it’s messy. The still-attached foil coming into contact with the wine as it’s poured could be unhygienic.
Also, you won’t get a clean pour if the lip of the bottle is covered with torn pieces of foil.
How Sommeliers Open A Bottle of Wine
Sommeliers use the knife blade of a corkscrew to cut away the top portion of the foil. This is a more sophisticated approach and is fun to learn if you want to impress your guests. This video by the Wine and Spirit Education Trust is created for the benefit of future sommeliers and wine industry experts, so it’s a perfect primer for how to open, serve, and pour wine!
Cutting Wine Foil with a Foil Cutter
Wine foil cutters come in a variety of shapes. Usually, they are comprised of a smooth surface that fits in the hand. On the underside of the wine foil cutter are blades that cut the foil when the foil cutter is rotated on the top of the wine bottle.
Using a wine foil cutter leaves a nice clean cut on the wine foil. It is also a less intimidating approach than removing the wine bottle foil with a teen-tiny knife! Wine foil cutters are easy to use, and they can be a nice addition to your collection of wine accessories. You’ll just want to make sure you get a quality wine cutter with nice, sharp blades (more on that later!).
What are the Best Wine Foil Cutters?
The best wine foil cutter makes those clear, crisp foil cuts every time with ease. We’ve lined up four of our favorite wine foil cutters. Check them out:
Le Creuset: Our Top Choice Wine Foil Cutter
This Le Creuset brand is indicative of high-quality kitchen tools, and this black nickel wine foil cutter is no exception. A four-wheel system with razor-sharp blades cuts the foil quickly and effortlessly, leaving a clean line with just a quarter-turn of your wrist. Also, this wine foil cutter is attractive and fits perfectly into your palm. Simply a great wine gadget that makes a lovely present for friends and emerging wine enthusiasts.
Best Economical Wine Foil Cutter
This set of wine foil cutters comes with an unbeatable price tag and a magnetic storage design so that you can keep it handy on your refrigerator. Plus, the fact that this is a set of two means you can store one on your fridge and the other on a wine cart, RV, boat, or beach house. These are also lightweight and inexpensive, which makes them perfect for throwing in the picnic basket or your wine purse or bag.
Best Unique Wine Foil Cutter
Beach house, here we come! This novelty wine foil cutter has summer vacation written all over it. Perfect for cutting the foil on a bottle of crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Grüner Veltliner on a warm summer evening. This one also doubles as a refrigerator magnet when it’s not busy opening bottles!
Best Wine Foil Cutter to Give As a Gift
This new-in-2020 wine foil cutter comes in three attractive colors and includes attractive packaging, which makes it easy to store and perfect for wrapping. Hostess gift, anyone? This one is also lightweight, easy to use, and won’t break the bank.
That’s a (Foil) Wrap!
Thanks for joining us on this wine foil journey. We love sharing wine knowledge and recommending the best products for wine enthusiasts.
Remember that, while wine bottle foil cutters aren’t necessary nor expensive, they’re an easier option for removing the wine foil from a bottle than the small knife of a corkscrew for budding wine enthusiasts. And they’re much less messy than the “I Need Wine Now” approach.
Finally, high-quality wine foil cutters can make great gifts or great additions to your at-home wine accessories collection.
Cheers!