Using a suitable tool like a corkscrew to open a bottle is the safest and cleanest option, although certain quick and dirty methods could appear more efficient.
If you’ve just recently discovered wine’s pleasures, you may be forgiven for not understanding how to open a bottle.
After all, unscrewing a wine bottle cork requires far more skill than opening a six-pack of beer.
To avoid errors, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide on how to open a wine bottle using a corkscrew.
How to Open Wine Bottle With or Without a Corkscrew
Use a Screw, a Screwdriver, and a Hammer
Even though this is one of the safer options for opening a a wine bottle, you’ll need to be strong and resilient since it will quickly wear you out.
Using a screwdriver, you may insert a screw (ideally a large one) through the cork until just a fraction of an inch or so is exposed.
The cork is removed by locking the hammer’s reverse side beneath the screw and pulling it out. Towels are useful for drying off after it’s done when you’re likely to be hot and sweaty.
Use a Twin Lever Corkscrew
One of the most convenient ways to open a wine bottle is using a twin-lever corkscrew.
You’ve probably seen one of these corkscrews before; they resemble little men with long arms.
There’s no better way to get your wine out of the bottle than with one of these convenient wine openers. You should get one if you don’t already have one.
To begin, take off the foil cap from the bottle. To achieve this, slide a knife under the bottle’s lip and pull it out.
Remove the foil and position the corkscrew over the cork with the arms pointing down. With a firm grip, spin the head clockwise to bury the screw into the cork.
Slowly, the arms will begin to extend upwards. When the arms are at the highest point, use both hands to bring them down to the side.
The bottle may then be opened without a corkscrew inserted. Do not twist the cork to the bottom to ensure at least one coil protrudes.
Use the lever as leverage and press it into the bottle’s lip. Finally, remove the cork from the bottle’s neck.
Push the Cork in With the Handle of a Wooden Spoon or Any Blunt Object Similar in Size
Compared to the other methods on this list, this one is risk-free, although it has some drawbacks.
Pull the cork out of the bottle of wine using the handle of the wooden spoon (or something similar).
It’s hard to get the cork out again once you insert the cork into the bottle. Additionally, when a cork is placed into an old bottle of wine, it sometimes crumbles and drops into the wine.
While this is never the desired outcome, it should not cause alarm if you drink with friends and intend to finish the bottle.
The cork fragments may be easily removed by pouring the wine through a strainer into a decanter.
Use a Wine Key
Slim and lightweight, wine keys resemble a Swiss Army knife in design.
Though they are more difficult to use than twin lever corkscrews, they are easier to carry and store, making them convenient for opening bottles while moving.
To open a bottle of wine with a wine key, you must first remove the foil cap. In contrast to twin lever corkscrews, wine keys often accompany a sommelier’s knife for removing the foil.
The next step is to place the corkscrew’s center over the cork’s center. Gently twist the screw clockwise until it is fully inserted into the cork.
Use a Knife
Similar to the key method described above, this method teaches you how to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew.
A butter knife isn’t going to cut it here, and a folding knife is out of the question for obvious safety reasons, so you’ll need a very sharp steak knife.
The cork should be skewered down and at an angle through its center. To do this, insert the knife at an angle toward the center of the cork, just beyond its outer edges. Reduce its height by roughly one inch.
After that, you’ll have enough grip to hold on to the cork to begin a circular motion of pushing or pulling.
At some point, the cork will begin to loosen and rise to the surface. It’s just like using a key, only with a knife. However, there are a few adjustments to make for specialized wines.
Heat It With a Lighter
Without a doubt, this is a preferred method on how to open a wine bottle. However, use caution.
The situation is dangerous and might end in flames. To get to the cork, remove the foil covering it.
Then, place the flame from a lighter on the bottle’s neck below the cork. The goal is to warm up the space just under the cork.
Due to the increased volume of air, the cork is forced upward. For even air heating, move the light around the bottle’s neck.
You should expect the cork to slowly move upward and out of the bottle in a minute or two.
This procedure is good since it eliminates the potential for cork breaking and doesn’t need any special knowledge of wine.
Hook It With a Hanger
Although this method is simple, it requires you to permanently retire one of your wire hangers.
To begin with, bend the hanger’s tip back approximately 30 degrees to resemble a fish hook. Then, like the cork, slip the wire down into the top of the sealed wine bottle.
You need to flip the wire over so that the hook is now at the base of the bottle. When you lift the wire, the cork should pop out.
If the hanger seems stuck, you can push it with pliers or another common household object. Take precautions by using a towel or gloves.
Wrap the Bottle With a Towel and Use the Wall to Smack It Out
If you’ve made it this far, you should know that things become risky.
In contrast to the other options, this one doesn’t need additional tools; it may be your best friend if you run low on supplies.
Wrap the bottle’s bottom in a thick towel, then smash it repeatedly against a wall. This will likely cause the bottle to shatter, so save it for a dire emergency.
It’s not going to work to slam the bottle against the wall with all your strength; the cork won’t come out the first time.
Use mild blows to repeatedly tap the bottle against the wall to get the cork free.
Slap It Out With a Shoe
Using a shoe is the biggest and most artistic approach to opening a wine bottle.
Sommelier training often includes instruction on opening wine bottles using shoelaces; however, this information is seldom mentioned.
To be safe. Insert the wine bottle so its base stands upright in the shoe’s heel cup. Find something hard, like a brick wall, and continuously smash the heel of your shoe against it.
Ideally, the cork would have risen only a fraction of an inch after being struck many times. When it happens, you may use your hand to break the impasse.
Tips for Avoiding Bottle Breakage and Injury
The safest way to open a wine bottle is to use a corkscrew. The risk of glass breakage and injury increases when opening a wine bottle without a corkscrew; thus, this should only be done as a last option.
Applying heat or using a knife to crack open wine bottles are the two riskiest approaches.
It is also advised against employing any “banging” techniques, such as throwing the bottle against a wall while wrapped in a towel or smashing the bottle’s glass with a shoe.
Never attempt to open a bottle of wine with a samurai sword unless you have been properly schooled in the sabrage method,
No matter what technique you use, wrap a cloth around the bottle’s neck and handle before opening it. If you happen to drop it, a glass will save your hand from being hurt.
How to Re-cork or Close Wine Bottle
Wax paper is the ideal material for re-corking wine. It will facilitate the cork’s reinsertion into the bottle after being removed because corks expand after being removed. Insert the cork halfway and wrap the other end with wax paper.
Wine stoppers are another worthwhile purchase. Unlike corks, wine stoppers don’t have to be replaced after each use and may improve the seal on your bottle.
The typical shelf life of an opened bottle of wine is three to five days, depending on how well it has been re-corked and kept.
Open bottles of wine need to be kept in the wine fridge. However, if you don’t have a wine refrigerator, you may use your standard refrigerator.
