Coravin, the maker of the wine preservation system ‘Wine Access System 1000’, has stopped selling new units and is warning existing owners to stop using the device because of the chance of exploding bottles.

The company received reports that seven bottles have exploded – with one causing lacerations to the user. The company says that “in certain circumstances, wine bottles can burst when used with the Coravin system, presenting a risk of lacerations”.

Coravin’s Wine Access System 1000, which retails for €220, uses argon gas – an odourless, non-toxic gas – to extract wine out of a bottle without actually popping the cork. The gas is used to pressurise the inside of the bottle that pushes the wine upwards into thin needles from which small amounts of wine can be poured.

The company says the system can be used about 20 times on a bottle without damaging the cork. It is suggesting that customers use neoprene sleeves and visually inspect a bottle for flaws or cracks before use.

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