On Friday, January 21, 2011 at 10:40:53 AM UTC-8, anthona wrote:
> In the past, I have no problems with my cork puller on cork caps of
> wine bottles. But lately, every now and then one buys a bottle whch is
> sealed with a black wrapper, that eventually exposes what actual plug
> you have. This time it was what looked like, but doubt, an opaque
> coloring of a wax plug. For some reason I had a hell of time with my
> usual reliable wine puller, but not this time. I could upload a
> picture of it, but am at loss on how to do it here. I dugged and
> picked with knives, screwdrivers and etc..and couldn't pry it out.
> Obviously, after about an half hour or so, i managed..fortunately,
> there were no guests waiting for a glass of wine. Does anyone know
> what those plugs are made of and an easier way to remove them? Thought
> of soaking in water, hot or cold, but held back on that theory. Also,
> why some bottles have the good old corks and others are either screwed
> caps or as i had on this one ..a 'wax' plug? I would like to avoid
> going through this again..how does one know when buying a bottle of
> wine? BTW, this bottle was exported from Italy...if that should make a
> difference.

https://groups.google.com/g/alt.food.wine/c/4Dv7VwNe8G4