Yahoo Lifestyle 9 Genius Ways To Open a Wine Bottle Without a Corkscrew
You never want to find yourself in a situation where the lack of a wine opener comes between your ability to mark a memorable occasion with some vino. Yet, the moments calling for the compliments of wine with no bottle opener insight are endless. So, if you're wondering how to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew, you're not alone.
A quick online search proves that a little resourcefulness and creativity shows no shortage of bottle-opening methods. Though it’s questionable which methods are likely to get the job done, less likely to cause injury and more likely to lead to laughter, there are plenty of genius ways to open a bottle without an opener. Fortunately, we’ve done a deep dive of online tricks and spoke to some wine pros to determine which methods will get you closer to that liquid gold.
Disclaimer: Ideally, drinking a glass of wine requires pulling the cork out of the bottle. However, if you’re doing it without a bottle opener you can’t be too picky about how you get to the actual wine. That means you may need to settle for pushing the cork into the bottle or even breaking the bottleneck if getting the cork out of the bottle isn’t possible.
OK, now onto the tips and tricks to get you that well-deserved glass of wine!
Related: The Safest, Easiest Way to Open a Bottle of Champagne, According to an Expert
How To Open a Wine Bottle Without a Corkscrew
First things first, let's start with how to get the cork out of the bottle.
1. Use a house key
You may not have a corkscrew but you likely have access to a key with a rigid end. A house key is your best bet in this scenario.
“Slide a house key at an angle into the side of the cork, wiggling it in as far as it will go,” says Shaun Coleman, Vintner and co-owner of Alamitos Vinewards. “Then use the key like a lever by pushing down on the end that’s sticking out to lift the cork.”
Facing some resistance? Slowly turn the bottle as you work the key around the cork’s circumference, he adds.
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2. Use a shoe
One of the most commonly heard methods to get a cork out without a bottle opener is to bang it out using your shoe and a solid wall.
However, avoid using a wall that’s too solid to lessen the risk of the bottle shattering, warns Troy Revell, Certified Sommelier, and wine and beer Director at Fearrington House Restaurant.
“I once tried this against a concrete pillar using a sandal on a beach in Italy and immediately shattered the bottle and cut my hand. So, a wooden door jam is ideal for this,” he says.
You’ll also want to choose a flat shoe like a sneaker or a loafer over a stiletto.
Place the bottle base in the heel of the shoe. Then, use your non-dominant hand to hold the top of the bottle. Your dominant hand to hold both the shoe and the bottle as you hit the bottom of the shoe into the door jam anywhere from three to fifteen times, with fairly considerable force, Revell explains.
Once the cork is halfway out, you’ll be able to wiggle the cork out with your hand. If you’re looking for laughs and entertainment, you can try turning this into a party game. Revell notes he’s witnessed a party of twenty guests each take a whack at the shoe on the wall trick.
3. Pry it out
If a traditional bottle opener is nowhere in sight, it makes sense to look towards a closely related item: the traditional screw. Find a screw and twist it downward into the center of the cork, says Jose "Pepe" Fundora, Sommelier and owner of Cork & Glass. Then, use the backend of a hammer to pull out the cork the same way you would pull out a nail, he continues.
Alternatively, you can try using a screwdriver or a drill to pull the cork out. Following a bottle opener or corkscrew, this might be the next best way to take out a cork with less chance of injuring yourself, damaging the bottle, or affecting the wine drinkability.
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4. Pump it out
Some people are simply more likely to have sports and adventure equipment than a corkscrew. If you happen to be one of those people, you’re in luck with access to a bike pump and needle.
Simply stick the needle between the cork and the rim and push down on the pump. Soon enough the cork will slowly begin to push up far enough for you to pull it out with your hand if the whole thing doesn’t come out on its own. "It may not be the most efficient way, but it’s certainly the strangest way to take it out,” says Chris Godoy, 20-year veteran mixologist and bartender.
However, some online lurkers warn not to pump too much or you risk the wine bottle exploding. According to Godoy, It shouldn’t take more than a minute of pumping.
5. Use a fork
The Thirsty Bartenders demonstrated a fork and butter knife can be the key to rounding out your meal with a glass of wine when a bottle opener is out of reach. Push the sharp end of the knife into the center of the cork. Then, slide the knife between the fork teeth and rotate the bottle until the cork comes all the out or far enough to pull it out with your hand.
Related: Orange Wine Might Be Trendy, but It's Definitely Not New—Here's What You Need to Know
6. Light it up
A lighter or some other fire source can get the job done with a little patience. After removing the foil, hold the lighter up to the neck of the bottle so it heats up the space between the wine and the cork. In time, the air will expand causing the cork to slowly rise, as seen in this YouTube video. However, commenters warn that the cork may shoot up rather forcefully so it’s best to aim it away from your face and other people or fragile objects. You should also be careful with hand placement afterward since the bottleneck might be very hot.
There are also ways to open a wine bottle by pushing the cork into the bottle.
7. Hang it up
A hanger and a toothbrush seem like an unlikely combination. Yet, this YouTube video proves the contrary. Turns out they’re the perfect pair for getting a cork out, especially if you find yourself in a hotel room with limited access to resources. You’ll see the creator breaking wire coat hanger and then pushing the spiraled end into the cork with the intent of making a hole in it.
Next, place the bottom of the toothbrush into the cork and apply force so the cork can be pushed into the bottle. Consider anchoring the bottle between your feet to keep it still if you need to use both hands to firmly push the toothbrush down
8. Try a spoon
Is the separation between you and a good drink causing mounting frustration? Put that pressure to good use by following the steps in this video. Grab a spoon and place the blunt end of it on top of the cork. Then apply pressure by pushing downward on the spoon making the cork fall into the bottle.
9. Straighten it out
This method works best in the rare chance you’re more likely to have access to port tongs than a traditional bottle opener. Port tongs intended use is removing corks that can’t be dislodged with a typical opener such as bottles of port or old corks that will crumble with a corkscrew.
If you don’t have port tongs, a hair straightener can do the trick. Heat the port tongs or flat iron and place it just underneath the cork on the neck of the bottle. Next, get a cold, wet brush and rub it gently along the neck of the bottle using the bristles. The result is a clean break with little physical effort.
"I’ve only seen this method executed with a hair straightener with a natural cork, not a synthetic cork," says Fundora. Depending on the break, there’s a chance the cork or glass sediment will fall into the bottle. Be prepared with a cheesecloth or coffee filter to strain the pieces while pouring.
While it makes for a cool trick, the caveat is you may end up with warm wine. In that case, you can simmer it in a saucepan with clothes, orange slices and more to make mulled wine.
Related: 16 Types of Wine You Should Know About—No Sommelier Experience Needed!
Sources:
Shaun Coleman, Vintner and co-owner of Alamitos Vinewards
Troy Revell, Certified Sommelier, and wine and beer Director at Fearrington House Restaurant
Jose "Pepe" Fundora, Sommelier and owner of Cork & Glass
Chris Godoy, 20-year veteran mixologist and bartender
