How to Open a Wine Bottle Without a Corkscrew
It happens to all of us at some point or other; you find yourself trying to figure out how to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew.
Maybe you brought a nice bottle of wine to the house of friends and they don’t own a corkscrew. Or maybe you did have a corkscrew, and it snapped off in your hand. Now you are frantically trying to figure out how to get a cork out without a corkscrew.
Here are a few ideas for how to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew in case this ever happens to you.
Jump to Section
- How to Get a Cork Out Without a Corkscrew
- How to Open a Wine Bottle With a Key
- How to Open a Wine Bottle With a Screw and Hammer
- How to Open a Wine Bottle With a Wire Hanger
- How to Open a Wine Bottle With a Wooden Spoon
- How to Open a Wine Bottle With a Shoe
- How to Open a Wine Bottle With a Serrated Knife
How to Get a Cork Out Without a Corkscrew
When it comes to how to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew, there's something you'll need in abundance: ingenuity. Each method relies on using common items that are likely to be lying around the house. So, if you are about to log on to a virtual wine tasting and can’t locate a corkscrew, try one of the creative and quirky methods below.
1. How to Open a Wine Bottle With a Key
Everybody has keys, so knowing how to uncork a wine bottle with a key is a good place to start. Simply press the key into the cork, twist and pull until the cork comes out.
2. How to Open a Wine Bottle With a Screw and Hammer
Another idea for how to remove a cork without a corkscrew is to drive a long screw into the cork, leaving enough room at the top to use the claws of a hammer to pull the cork out. Be aware that this method takes some strength.
3. How to Open a Wine Bottle With a Wire Hanger
You can fashion a corkscrew from a wire hanger if you end up trying to figure out how to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew. Untwist the hanger, then wrap the wire around the rounded handle of a wooden spoon to re-shape it. This will give you a sharp piece of twisted metal, which you can screw into the cork and pull.
4. How to Open a Wine Bottle With a Wooden Spoon
Drive the handle of the wooden spoon against the cork. You won’t get the cork out this way, but you can push it into the bottle so you can pour the wine. When all other methods fail, this is one of the easiest.
5. How to Open a Wine Bottle With a Shoe
Place the bottom of the bottle in the heel of a shoe, turn the whole thing sideways and tap it firmly against a sturdy wall. In theory, the tapping will cause the cork to slowly work itself out. Once it's worked about halfway out, you can try to grab the end and pull.
6. How to Open a Wine Bottle With a Serrated Knife
You may be surprised that "open a wine bottle" is one answer to the question "What is a serrated knife used for?" The serrated knife method for opening wine without a corkscrew is similar to the key idea. Drive the knife into the cork up to the handle, then twist and pull. This may be one of the most dangerous methods for opening a bottle of wine when you don't have a corkscrew on hand, so proceed with caution.
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We’ve tried most of these ideas over the years — except the shoe — with limited success. Your mileage may vary, but anything is worth a try! If you don't have any corkscrews at the ready, give one of these methods a shot.
For more great ways to enjoy wine, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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