This is a device that delivers on its promise. You say you want to keep from having to use flat champagne to deglaze a chicken dish? Read on….

As wine devices go, it’s pretty inexpensive – less than $13. Its claim is that it will keep the “fizz” in champagne even after it’s been opened, much like some devices that you put on the top of soda bottles. The unit itself is a sleek black and chrome affair. There’s a black plastic body with a rubber stopper inside and silver lever on the outside that opens and closes the top of the unit. There’s even a pour spout to keep the drips to a minimum. The operation couldn’t be simpler either, you lift the lever into the open position, away from the body, place the unit firmly on an open bottle of champagne, pull down on the ring at the bottom of the unit to lock the unit onto the bottle, then push the lever down into the “closed” position.

And does it work? You bet it does! I left a half full bottle of champagne to its mercy and it delivered the bubbles. After two days I had a glass and the bubbles were still very much alive and intact. After four days, there was still bubbles, but more subdued. Due to the oxygen in the bottle the taste was a little off, but still drinkable. Hey, this thing can’t fix everything!

The stopper should work on most any 750ml bottle of champagne and probably most splits (375ml) too. Any other sized bottle and you are probably on your own. And the fuller the bottle, the better your results of course.

Grade: A Price: $13

Vacu-Vin
Champagne Saver