Picture this: you finally reached the perfect lakeside cabin you rented with your friends for a chill and cozy weekend. It’s 9:00 PM, the bonfire is on, you go grab the bottle of wine to share… And you realized you forgot the bottle opener. There is none in the cabin, no neighbors around and all the closest shops have closed for the night. Well, fear not, your evening is not ruined: while opening a bottle of wine without a bottle opener or corkscrew can be tricky, several effective methods can help you get the job done. Here are some reliable techniques you may want to try:
Safety warning: always be careful not to break the bottle nor to cut yourself as these methods are not as foolproof as using a corkscrew!
- Use a Screw and a Tool for Leverage
- What You Need: A long screw, a screwdriver, and a pair of pliers or a sturdy fork.
- How to Do It: Screw the long screw into the cork using the screwdriver, leaving about an inch of the screw sticking out. Grip the screw with the pliers or fork and pull upward firmly to extract the cork.
- Push the Cork In
- What You Need: A blunt object like the back of a wooden spoon or a sturdy marker.
- How to Do It: Place the blunt object on the center of the cork and push it down gently but firmly. The cork will drop into the bottle. Be cautious of splashes and use this method only if you’re okay with the cork being inside the wine. You may want to pour the wine out of the bottle immediately after to prevent the cork from infusing its taste into the wine.
- Use a Key
- What You Need: A strong metal key.
- How to Do It: Insert the key at an angle into the cork and wiggle it back and forth to create a solid grip. Rotate the key while pulling upward to gradually remove the cork.
- Apply Heat to the Bottle Neck
- What You Need: A lighter or torch.
- How to Do It: Heat the bottle neck just below the cork. The heat will expand the air inside, pushing the cork out. Be careful to avoid overheating, and ensure the bottle isn’t cold before using this method to prevent it from cracking.
- Use a Shoe
- What You Need: A sturdy (clean) shoe with a flat sole.
- How to Do It: Place the bottom of the wine bottle into the sole of the shoe. Hold the neck of the bottle and hit the shoe against a solid vertical surface (like a wall) repeatedly and gently. The cork will begin to slide out. Once it’s far enough, pull it out by hand. Be careful not to break the bottle.
- Use a Knife
- What You Need: A sturdy knife with a narrow blade.
- How to Do It: Insert the knife into the cork at an angle. Twist the knife while pulling upward to loosen and extract the cork. Use caution to avoid accidents.
- Use a Wire Hanger
- What You Need: A metal hanger.
- How to Do It: Straighten the hanger and bend one end into a small hook. Slide the hook down the side of the cork until it goes underneath. Rotate the hanger and pull upward to remove the cork.
Tips for Success:
- Always handle glass bottles with care to avoid breaking them.
- If the cork crumbles, strain the wine through a fine mesh or cheesecloth before serving.
- Avoid methods that could compromise the safety of the bottle or the wine… Or your own safety as well.
