This is known as a "waiter's friend". Many of these things were a triumph in design and style. While
ever corks were the wine stoppers of choice, waiter's friends were the OPENERS of choice. More and
more even VERY fine wine comes in screw tops today, tending to make such handy devices extinct.
Evidently research has shown that screw tops deliver wine in better condition more often and more
reliably. They certainly are cheaper, easier to use and make for better temporary resealing. It's
just that, somehow, the ceremony of opening a wine bottle just isn't there anymore ... hell of a
shame. Sometimes I hate the modern world.