How to open a bottle of wine: with and without a corkscrew

Opening a bottle of wine seems simple, doesn’t it? But sometimes it turns into a nightmare: we can’t get the spiral in, it twists, we struggle to pull the cork out, and worst of all—it breaks! The cork is essential for keeping the wine in perfect condition during its storage until it’s ready to enjoy. By following these simple steps, you can avoid breaking the cork and ensure the wine is free of tiny cork fragments floating in your glass.

How to open a bottle with a corkscrew

There are professionals—sommeliers—who follow up to 19 steps when opening and decanting a wine. Here, we’ll focus on the best way to do it at home, without the critical eyes of customers watching. To ensure a clean opening, follow this simple guide:

1. Place the bottle upright.
2. The label should face the other guests. If it doesn’t, that’s fine too.
3. Cut the foil below the lip of the bottle neck.
4. Insert the corkscrew’s spiral while pressing and turning at the same time. Aim for the center to avoid twisting and breaking the cork.
5. Use the first lever of the two-step corkscrew to create leverage.
6. Once about five centimeters of the cork are out, use the second lever of the corkscrew.
7. Avoid making noise as you remove the cork. But if you love the sound of a bottle being uncorked, we won’t judge you.
8. Ensure no cork fragments remain in the wine.
9. Smell the cork to check for any issues. A musty smell indicates the cork isn’t in good condition and may have affected the wine.
10. The best part: enjoy the wine, especially if you’re in good company.

How to open a bottle without a corkscrew

Now for something more challenging. Imagine you’re on a picnic with food, wine, and glasses—but no corkscrew. In such cases, many of us turn to the internet for creative ways to remove a cork without one. It’s important to note that some methods can be dangerous or disrespectful to the wine. However, in an emergency, they might save the day:

1. The screw and hammer method:
   If you have a screw and a hammer, insert the screw halfway into the cork. Using the hammer’s claw (the back part designed for removing nails), carefully pull the cork out. Be gentle to avoid breaking the bottle neck. Once part of the cork is out, reposition the hammer vertically and pull. Warning: this requires strength.
2. The shoe method:
   Only for emergencies! Place the bottle in a flat shoe and hit the base of the bottle until the cork starts to come out enough to pull it out by hand. The shoe cushions the blow to prevent the bottle from breaking. Alternatively, you can use a towel or pillow. Be warned: this method may turn your wine into a fermented grape shake.
3. Push the cork in:
   The simplest, albeit the most controversial method, involves pushing the cork into the bottle. Imagine it as a little boat adrift in a sea of wine.

The best way to avoid these makeshift methods is to always have a corkscrew on hand. That way, you can enjoy the wine stress-free and focus on the pleasure it brings.