Sample taking device for extracting a fluid sample from a vessel comprising: - a cover portion suitable for closing the vessel such that, in use, a headspace is defined between the cover portion and a fluid held in the vessel , - a sampling chamber comprising a sampling inlet and a sampling outlet , - a cannula adapted to provide, in use, fluid communication between the fluid held in the vessel and the sampling chamber through the sampling inlet , and - means to operate the device in at least two operating conditions: a) a sample preparing condition in which a pressure in the headspace is greater than that of the sampling chamber such that fluid flows through the cannula towards the sampling chamber and can be retained therein, and b) a sample dispensing condition in which fluid communication between fluid held in the vessel and the sampling chamber is prevented while fluid retained in the sampling chamber is delivered through the sampling outlet and fluid remaining inside the cannula returns to the vessel ; the means to operate the device in at least two operating conditions comprising at least one connector configured for connection to a gas supply system operable to supply a gas at a pressure greater than ambient pressure, a first intake port arranged in the cover portion and configured for connection to the gas supply system to increase the pressure inside the headspace of the vessel during the sample preparing operating condition and a second intake port arranged in the sampling chamber and configured for connection to the gas supply system to increase the pressure inside the sampling chamber during the sample dispensing operating condition. - a cover portion suitable for closing the vessel such that, in use, a headspace is defined between the cover portion and a fluid held in the vessel , - a sampling chamber comprising a sampling inlet and a sampling outlet , - a cannula adapted to provide, in use, fluid communication between the fluid held in the vessel and the sampling chamber through the sampling inlet , and - means to operate the device in at least two operating conditions: a) a sample preparing condition in which a pressure in the headspace is greater than that of the sampling chamber such that fluid flows through the cannula towards the sampling chamber and can be retained therein, and b) a sample dispensing condition in which fluid communication between fluid held in the vessel and the sampling chamber is prevented while fluid retained in the sampling chamber is delivered through the sampling outlet and fluid remaining inside the cannula returns to the vessel ; the means to operate the device in at least two operating conditions comprising at least one connector configured for connection to a gas supply system operable to supply a gas at a pressure greater than ambient pressure, a first intake port arranged in the cover portion and configured for connection to the gas supply system to increase the pressure inside the headspace of the vessel during the sample preparing operating condition and a second intake port arranged in the sampling chamber and configured for connection to the gas supply system to increase the pressure inside the sampling chamber during the sample dispensing operating condition. a) a sample preparing condition in which a pressure in the headspace is greater than that of the sampling chamber such that fluid flows through the cannula towards the sampling chamber and can be retained therein, and b) a sample dispensing condition in which fluid communication between fluid held in the vessel and the sampling chamber is prevented while fluid retained in the sampling chamber is delivered through the sampling outlet and fluid remaining inside the cannula returns to the vessel ; <EOS>