Coravin Sparkling® FAQs and Troubleshooting
What is Coravin Sparkling®?
What is the Coravin Sparkling™ Wine Preservation System?
The Coravin Sparkling™ Wine Preservation System allows you to preserve sparkling wines for up to 4 weeks, so you can enjoy them at your pace, ensuring every glass you pour tastes like the first.
With what types of wine can the Coravin Sparking™ System be used?
The Coravin Sparkling™ System can be used with all types of sparkling wines, including vintage and non-vintage champagne, prosecco, and cava.
What is the difference between the Coravin Sparkling™ Wine Preservation System and the Coravin Wine Preservation Systems for still wine?
All Coravin Systems deliver the opportunity for you to enjoy your wine the way you want vs. having to commit to the bottle. The key difference between the Coravin Sparkling™ Wine Preservation System and the Coravin Wine Preservation Systems for still wine is that the Sparkling system will both preserve sparkling wine and ensure that the effervescence remains allowing you to enjoy the full Sparkling experience.
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. Do not use the Sparkling System on still wines. Still wines have a different bottle design and composition than the bottles used for sparkling wines. Using the Coravin Sparkling System on still wine bottles may cause the still wine bottle to break and could cause serious injury.
How does the CoravinSparkling® Wine Preservation System maintain effervescence?
The Coravin Sparkling® Wine Preservation System uses CO2, the same gas that creates bubbles in the wine, to fill the headspace in the bottle and prevents the bubbles in the sparkling wine from dissipating. This keeps the original effervescence intact for up to 4 weeks ensuring the last glass will taste just as good as the first.
What measures has Coravin taken to ensure the Sparkling System can be used safely?
The Coravin Engineering and Product Development teams took extensive measures to ensure the Coravin Sparkling™ System can be used safely. The locking handle on the Sparkling Stopper is designed to release halfway, allowing carbon dioxide to safely vent before fully releasing the handle to remove the Stopper. Additionally, the Sparkling Charger features an internal regulator that prevents over-pressurization of the bottle, making the System easy and safe to use, while ensuring the best possible wine quality with each subsequent pour.
Coravin Sparkling® System
What comes with the Coravin Sparkling® Wine Preservation System?
Depending on the package purchased, the Coravin Sparkling Wine Preservation System will include the Sparkling Charger, Sparkling Stoppers, Coravin Pure™ Sparkling CO2 Capsules and Safety Sleeves.
How do I use the Coravin Sparkling® Wine Preservation System to ensure preservation and effervescence?
To use the Coravin Sparkling® Wine Preservation System follow these steps:
First Pour:
- Remove the foil and uncork the bottle of sparkling wine.
- Pour your glass.
- When the pour is complete, insert the bottle into a safety sleeve.
- Attach the Coravin Sparkling Stopper.
- Ensure the Stopper is fully attached by properly adjusting the Locking Handle. Ensure the Handle has been moved downward to the fully locked position.
- Align the Sparkling Charger with the top of the Stopper and press straight down.
- Allow gas to flow until the pressure indicator is fully green. (The indicator may run a bit past full green but the Charger will stop automatically. It cannot add too much pressure and will automatically stop at 55 psi.)
- Remove the Charger from the bottle.
- Keeping your bottle in the sleeve, store in your fridge.
To Pour from an accessed bottle:
- “Tilt” the Stopper by placing your palm securely around the top and gently lifting to release the pressure. (If you just unlock and remove the Stopper without this release there will be a startling “pop” and the Stopper may recoil slightly.)
- Raise the Locking Handle upward to the fully unlocked position.
- Remove the Stopper.
- Pour your Sparking wine.
- Repeat steps above to repressurize bottle.
When using the Coravin Sparkling® Wine Preservation System do I remove the cork from the sparkling bottle?
Yes, always completely remove the foil and the cork from the bottle when using the Coravin Sparkling® Wine Preservation System.
Do I pour the sparkling wine before inserting the gas into the bottle?
Yes, once the bottle is opened pour your glass of sparkling wine. Then attach the Coravin Sparkling™ Stopper.
Why do you include a Safety Sleeve?
Any pressurized bottle may break if dropped or impacted resulting in projectile glass and possible serious injury to anyone nearby. If the bottle is impacted causing a break the Safety Sleeve will capture the glass and prevent it from becoming a projectile. We recommend that you always use the Safety Sleeve when pressurizing and storing your accessed sparkling wine.
Charging the Bottle
How do I know when the bottle has been adequately charged?
When a bottle has been adequately charged, the status indicator on the side of the Sparkling Charger will change from red to green, and the device will automatically stop charging.
How do I know if the charger still has CO2?
The Sparkling Charger has a green/red Status Indicator on the side to show when a bottle has been fully charged with CO2 and if the CO2 cartridge has gas or is empty. Green indicates that the charger has a CO2 capsule with gas ready.
WARNING: Opening the Access Door on the Sparkling Charger when the Pressure Indicator is green will result in rapid CO2 release and the Capsule will be cold to the touch. Handle with care.
Is it possible to over-charge a bottle?
The Coravin Sparkling™ System is designed to automatically stop charging when the appropriate pressure has been reached. As such, you cannot over-charge a bottle.
Storage
How should accessed bottles be stored after they’ve been charged?
Accessed bottles should be stored in a refrigerator after they have been charged for best results, just as you would with any sparkling wine you want to preserve.
How do I store an accessed bottle in the refrigerator?
For best results store your accessed sparkling wine bottle in a cold refrigerator. It is a matter of personal preference if you store vertically or horizontally. Storage position will not impact performance. Note that we do recommend keeping the accessed bottle in the safety sleeve when storing.
Coravin Pure™ Sparkling CO2 Capsules
How can I tell if I have gas remaining in the CO2 Capsule?
If the pressure indicator on the side of the Sparkling System is green, there is still gas in the system. If the indicator if red you need to replace the capsule.
How do I insert the Coravin Pure™ Sparkling CO2 Capsule?
If gas is needed, the pressure Indicator on the side of the Coravin Sparkling Charger will reflect “red”. If the indicator is “green” there is still gas in the capsule.
To load a new capsule:
- Push up the Latch Cover to reveal the Door Latches.
- Squeeze the side tabs simultaneously to open the Access Door at the top of the Charger.
- Push up the Release button to open the Capsule Bay.
- Insert Capsule.
- Close the doors.
- Push the Latch Cover back down.
- The Pressure Indicator should now be green.
What happens if I remove the gas capsule before the capsule is empty?
If you remove the capsule before it is empty, all the remaining gas will release with a large burst. It will feel very cold, and you may see some frost bits release from the system. This is a normal reaction for a release of pressurized gas into the air and is harmless – however it can be startling. That is why it is important to always check the gas pressure indicator before changing the capsule.
Why is the capsule so cold if all the gas releases at once?
The gas gets cold when expanded from a higher pressure (held in the capsule) to a lower pressure (released). This is called adiabatic cooling and is a property of thermodynamics. It is a normal process.
Do I have to use Coravin Pure™ Sparkling CO2 Capsules with the Coravin Sparkling™ System?
Yes. The System is designed to work ONLY with genuine Coravin Pure Sparkling™ CO2 Capsules. Use of non-Coravin capsules, reuse of any part of the Coravin capsule or connection to sources of gas other than Coravin Pure™ Sparkling CO2 Capsules is dangerous and may cause injury to users or others nearby.
How can I tell if a Coravin Sparkling Capsule has already been used?
Look inside the black top on the capsule. If you see a black hole, then the capsule has been used and is empty. You can recycle it based on your municipality’s regulations. If you see a full silver seal than the capsule is unused and will contain gas.
Does the Coravin Sparkling™ Wine Preservation System use the same capsules as the Coravin Wine Preservation Systems for still wine?
No, the Coravin Sparkling™ Wine Preservation System uses Coravin Pure™ Sparkling CO2 Capsules that are filled with the purest CO2 available. The Capsules for the Coravin Wine Preservation Systems for still wine are filled with pure argon gas.
Why do you use CO2 capsules vs. Argon Capsules for the Coravin Sparkling System?
While wine preservation is our guiding principle, sparkling wine is manufactured under very different standards than still wine. We use CO2 with the Sparkling System as it infuses the carbonation that will ensure the effervescence of the wine is maintained in conjunction with the preservation. For still wines the Coravin Wine Preservation System uses Argon as it is completely inert and will not interact with the wine thus ensuring longer term preservation.
How can I tell the difference between the capsules for the Coravin Sparkling™ Wine Preservation System and the Coravin Wine Preservation Systems for still wine?
The capsules for Coravin Sparkling™ Wine Preservation System have a different label and a different top than the capsules for the Still Wine Preservation Systems. The different tops prevent the inadvertent use of the Sparkling capsule in the Still wine system and vice versa.
Do Coravin Pure™ Sparkling CO2 Capsule expire?
While the Coravin Pure™ Sparkling CO2 Capsules contain the purest CO2 that will not spoil, we do print an expiration date to comply with EU regulations. This date reflects a long shelf life of approximately 3 years. There is no harm in using a capsule that has gone past the printed expiration date.
How many uses will a Coravin Sparkling Capsule deliver?
Each Coravin Pure™ Sparkling CO2 Capsule preserves up to 7 standard 750mL bottles. (Capsule life can vary based on usage patterns.)
Sparkling Stopper
What is the Coravin Sparkling Stopper?
The Coravin Sparkling Stopper works with the Sparkling Charger to allow sparkling wine to be ‘recharged’. The Stopper is attached to the bottle after pouring and locked into place with the Locking Handle. It maintains the pressure in the bottle. When ready for the next pour, the Stopper can be released and removed.
There are three “stop” points on the handle – these are marked on the side of the Stopper.
- Unlocked – fully open – ensure you push the Locking Handle all the way up – it will require an extra “push”
- Mid-lock – feel a bit of a ‘tug’ when bringing down the handle. This indicates that the internal clamps have “opened” and are setting around the flange on the bottle
- Locked – Pushing the Locking Handle fully down attaches the clamps to the bottle and secures the Stopper.
- To Release – a full upward motion of the Locking Handle– don’t stop at midpoint, (push it up; it will not break)
How do I attach the Coravin Sparkling Stopper?
Raise the Locking Handle to the “unlock” symbol in the most upright position. (You will see the guide with markings on the side of the Stopper.) Then attach the Stopper onto the neck of the bottle. Firmly press the locking handle down until the handle is flush, (this may take some substantial force – do not be concerned – this is to attach the clamps onto the bottle; it will not harm the bottle). The Stopper is now ready for the gas to be inserted.
Will the Coravin Sparkling Stopper fit all Sparkling bottles?
The universal Sparkling Stopper features an internal locking clamp design that self-adjusts to fit securely on all standard 750 mL and magnum 1.5L bottles, even the distinctive bottles from notable luxury champagne producers. Do note however that if the bottle has a thick rim, it may take a bit more force to attach the Stopper.
What happens if the Locking Handle on the Coravin Sparkling Stopper is not fully lifted?
If the Locking Handle is not full lifted when installing or full depressed when removing you will have difficulty with installing or removing the Stopper. Follow the guide on the side of the Stopper to ensure the handle is in the proper position.
Why does the Locking Handle on the Coravin Sparkling Stopper require such firmness to click into place?
The Locking Handle manages the clamps on the inside of the Stopper and ensures that it is firmly attached to the bottle. The clamps will adjust based upon the size of the bottle and the size of the bottle rim. The size of the bottle may impact the firmness required to manage the Locking Handle.
I cannot remove my Coravin Sparkling Stopper – what should I do?
Check the Locking Handle to ensure it is lifted to the full release position.
Why should I slightly tilt the Stopper before removing if from the bottle? Do I have to do this?
We recommend that you slightly tilt the Stopper to release the pressure from the bottle before removing it, as it will present a gentler release. You can release the Stopper by moving the Locking Handle fully to the release position; however this will cause a sharp pop and may cause the handle to retract a bit. This can be startling.
How many uses will a Coravin Sparkling Stopper deliver?
The Sparkling Stoppers are designed to last up to one year.
Cleaning
How do I clean the Coravin Sparkling™ System and Stopper?
Clean with a soft cloth moistened with clean water ONLY. Do not use cleaning solutions. Allow to air dry. Do not submerge ANY part of the System or Stopper in water or other liquid. DO NOT clean any part of the system by placing in the dishwasher.
Can I place the Coravin Sparking™ System or Stopper in the dishwasher?
No, do not place any part of the Coravin Sparkling System or Stopper in the dishwasher.
Troubleshooting
My Charger won’t insert gas into the bottle – what do I do?
If the Charger is not inserting gas check the pressure indicator to ensure the indicator is green. If it is not, change the capsule. Also ensure Stopper is tightly attached to the bottle and ensure Charging Inlet is tightly attached to the Stopper.
My Stopper will not attach – what do I do?
If you are having difficulty attaching the Stopper please check the Locking Handle to ensure it has been positioned all the way to the top of the Stopper. This will ensure that the grips inside the Stopper will completely grasp to the bottle. Similarly, if you are having difficulty removing the Stopper please ensure that the Locking Handle is positioned all the way down – this will unlock the grips and allow the Stopper to be removed.
My Capsules are not delivering 7 bottles. Why? What do I do?
You may be using more gas than you need to maintain preservation and effervescence. To obtain optimal use from your capsules we recommend that you only charge your bottle once per pouring session.
My wine is not maintaining its effervescence – what do I do?
For best results, placing the sparkling stopper on right after pouring will help keep effervescence and preserve the wine. We would also advise to store the wine in a cold environment.
Should I keep the instruction labels on the Sparkling System?
That is a matter of personal preference. The instruction labels are easy to remove if that is what you wish.