Review: Coravin Model One Wine Preservation System
Since I reviewed the first Coravin wine preservation system in 2013 — the first review of the device ever published #humblebrag — the company has been up to a lot of work. The Coravin Model 1000 is now known as the Coravin Model Eight. A luxe edition called the Coravin Model Two has been released, and now there is a third version: A less expensive system called the Coravin Model One.
The Model One is designed to be millennial-friendly, clad in more Ikea-friendly white and blue plastic instead of black and silver. Other than that, slightly lighter materials, and some very minor design tweaks, I can tell you that after experimenting with both the Model One and the original Model 1000/Model Eight side by side, they are functionally identical.
Both devices work the same way: A needle goes down through the cork, wine comes out, and argon gas goes in. Argon canisters are replaceable (each handles about 3 bottles of wine) at a price of roughly $10 a canister, so figure a bit under $1 per glass for expendables. Both use the same needle (the Model Two has a slightly “faster” needle) and work exactly the same way.
So, if you’re considering a Coravin, should you spend $200 on the Model One or $300 on the Model Eight? Well, the blue and white color scheme isn’t the most attractive, but the Coravin isn’t all that handsome of a device to start with, no matter what color it is. If you’re choosing to keep the device in a drawer instead of on display (and since the Model One doesn’t come with a stand, you pretty much have to), I wouldn’t hesitate to save the hundred bucks and put that toward wine instead of gadgetry.
A / $200 / coravin.com [BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON]
Coravin Model One Wine Preservation System
$200
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No way let wine breathe before drinking?
Only in the glass.
We experienced only one pour per Argon canister; at $8 per canister, this is not cost efficient to taste a bottle of wine (assuming the average cost per bottle of wine is $9.97).
That has not been my experience, which has been in line with Coravin’s claims that each canister gets you about 15 glasses of wine (roughly 3 bottles). Also, I only use this on more expensive wines; it’s definitely not cost effective on a $10 bottle. If you want to save a cheaper bottle overnight, I just use the hand-pump VacuVin.