Here at the Fine Cooking offices, we get lots of food- and wine-related equipment to try out and test. The latest to cross my desk was the Champagne Key from Seattle-based R.S.V.P. International.

My first thought: I already have lots of wine openers; the last thing I need is a specialized one for sparkling wine. But after reading the accompanying press materials, I can see why a safe cork popper might be in-demand. The folks at R.S.V.P. say that the inventor of the Champagne Key was inspired when he was “hit right between the eyes by a champagne cork.” Yikes.

I’ll still probably just use the method demonstrated here for safely opening a bottle of sparkling wine. It’s not that hard, and a dishtowel is less one-task oriented than the Champagne Key. But what do you think—is an opener specifically for champagne something you’d spend $20 for?