Survival Skills: How to Open a Wine Bottle Without a Corkscrew
We’ve all been there…
Really looking forward to a delicious bottle of wine and then not being able to find the damn corkscrew.
Don’t fret, it’s not night over, there are a couple of ways of de-corking your vino without having to venture out to buy a new one.
Please Note: These methods aren’t completely guaranteed to prove successful, so you may want to think twice if it’s an expensive bottle of wine you wouldn’t risk wasting.
Here are five quick and easy ways to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew:
The Makeshift Corkscrew – Hammer, Screw, Screwdriver!
Possibly the most effective method of removing the cork, use a screwdriver to insert the screw down into the cork (long screws work best) and use the claw of the hammer to pull the cork up and out.
Pliers instead of a claw hammer work just as well.
The Inside Out – Push the Cork in with a Wooden Spoon
The wooden spoon seems the weapon of choice for people who have used this technique before, though any blunt object which will fit will suffice.
Simply hold the bottle and apply pressure to the top of the cork and it should pop through.
The Wall Whack – Pop it Loose Using a Wall
Wrap the bottom of the bottle with a tea towel and hit rhythmically against a wall.
The pressure inside the bottle should force the cork out of the top.
When the cork has protruded far enough, simply grab it and twist it out.
String Method- Pull it Out Using String
This is a fiddly one but can be very effective with a bit of persistence.
Tie a knot in a piece of string and then tilt the bottle and squeeze one side of the cork so as to allow the piece of string to slip in.
Once it is in let go of the cork so it reapplies pressure to the string.
You should then be able to pull the string and the knot will force the cork out.
The Key to Success – Use a Car Key or Serrated Knife to Twist it Free
Force your key or serrated knife into the cork and twist in a clockwise direction until it frees itself.
It’s best to do it at a slight angle (forty-five degrees), but be sure to get it in well enough otherwise the cork could fall apart.
How to Open a Bottle with Scissors
Open up the scissors and place each blade either side of the cap then lift until it releases.
How to Open a Bottle with Another Beer
Place the beer you’re looking to open on a hard surface hold with one hand.
Twist the other beer upside down and align the ridge of the cap underneath the ridge of the other cap and lift.
How to Open a Bottle with A4 Paper
Fold the A4 paper repeatedly until you have a thick sturdy wedge and then apply the same techniques as with the lighter.
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