If you’re ever stranded with a bottle of wine and don’t have a corkscrew, there are some unusual – but extremely effective – ways to open it.
One of the most bizarre is to use a shoe, but it does work! Wrap the bottle in a towel, and then rhythmically hit it against a tree or wall with your shoe.
1. Keys
There are a few ingenious ways you can open a bottle of wine without a corkscrew. Some of them are more dangerous than others, but all of them can be useful in a pinch.
One of the most common and easy methods is to use a key. Insert the key firmly and slowly rotate it in a circular motion. This will force the cork upward, causing it to pop out of the bottle.
Another easy method is to use a knife. This is a bit more dangerous than using a key, but it can be effective for removing a cork that is stuck in the bottom of a bottle.
You may need to insert the knife a little more often than you would with a key, but this should still work. Be careful not to push the knife down too aggressively, or it could crumble into the wine.
If you don’t have a key or knife handy, a wooden spoon can be a good alternative. This works if you’re trying to get the cork out of a very old bottle, or if the top of the cork is stuck in place. It’s not recommended for younger bottles, though. You’ll also need to be careful not to pierce your fingers.
2. Screwdriver
If you are ever caught short of a corkscrew, there are a few ways to open a bottle without one. Some of these methods involve a lot of hard work and may take some time, but others can be pretty effective.
The easiest way to get a cork out is to use a screw with a hook like the ones that you would use for hanging picture frames. You can also just press on the wide base of the bottle, where the cork is recessed slightly into the neck.
Another easy method is to use a wire hanger. It works best when the wire is bent about 30 degrees back; it should look like a fish hook. You can then slide the wire down into the wine, alongside the cork.
This can be a hit-or-miss process, and it can result in small pieces of cork falling into the wine if you don’t have enough leverage. If this happens, you can strain the wine over a coffee filter to remove any bits.
Alternatively, you can pound the bottom of the bottle against a wall. This is not for the faint-hearted or the unimpressed, but it will wiggle the cork out fairly easily. Just be sure not to place the bottle too close to the wall, or the pressure might dimple the cork.
3. Serrated Knife
It can be a frustrating experience to go out for a glass of wine and find that there is no corkscrew to open it. Whether you’re on vacation, have a first date, or simply want to drink a glass of wine with your friends, it can be a hassle when you don’t have a corkscrew on hand.
But don’t worry — we have a few ways to open a bottle of wine without a corkscrew. All you need is a few tools, some patience, and a little creativity.
One of the simplest methods is to use a knife. This technique will work best with a steak knife (not a butter knife or folding knife for safety reasons).
Start by inserting the knife between the bottle and the cork at an angle, then twist it to gently apply pressure. Then, twist it in a circular motion until you can pull out the cork.
Another method is to pierce the cork with a key. Unlike a serrated knife, a key is safe to handle and will grip the cork better. Just plunge it into the cork at a 45-degree angle and move it in a circle, gradually twisting out the cork. This will eventually yank the cork out of the bottle.
4. Wooden Spoon
If you want to open a bottle of wine, but don’t have a corkscrew on hand, you can still do so. There are plenty of ingenious ways to do this.
For example, you can use a wooden spoon and a dry towel. Simply hold the bottle at the neck with the cloth, and push down on the cork with the end of the wooden spoon. This method should work for most newer corks, but old corks may crumble or shed bits into the wine.
Another good option is to use a screw. You can find them pretty easily at home, and a screw with a hook just like what you use to hang picture frames will work too.
The key here is to make sure you put the screw in at an angle so that it will wiggle up the sides of the cork. It might be a little tough at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to remove the cork with no problem.
If you have any other clever wine opening tricks that you’ve found, please share them in the comments below! It’s always fun to try out new techniques, and I’m sure you’ll have some great ones to share with us.
5. Shoe
If you don’t have a corkscrew on hand, or just want to save money in the long run, there are some creative ways to open a bottle of wine without one. For instance, banging the cork out of a bottle with a shoe is not only a great way to save on the cost of a corkscrew, but it’s also a good exercise in physical force!
To use this method, wrap the bottom of the bottle in a towel and stuff it into the heel of a sturdy dress shoe. Bang the bottom of the shoe against a tree or wall several times until the cork begins to pop out.
This method may seem a bit over the top, but it’s actually pretty reliable, and will get you out of your predicament quickly. Just be sure to err on the side of caution, and remember to do it outside and to keep your feet a safe distance away from the wine.
This is the expert-approved method of winemakers and sommeliers, as it’s easy and works well. The only downside is that wine will tend to spill out of the bottle as you push the cork in, so you’ll need to be ready with a towel to catch any spills!
6. Towel
If you find yourself stranded with a bottle of wine without a corkscrew, there are ways to open it.
1. Wrap the bottom of the bottle in a towel.
This will help protect the bottle from breaking while you’re trying to get the cork out. Alternatively, you can just use a regular towel.
2. Cover the bottle in the towel and then firmly hit the base against a wall.
Repeated hits will move the cork and force it out. This is probably the safest method, but it takes some patience and a little bit of effort.
3. Put the bottle in a shoe.
Unlike the previous two methods, this one requires no tools. All you need to do is place the bottle in the heel of your shoe and ram it against a wall or flat surface, repeatedly.
4. Use a wooden spoon to shove the cork out.
This method is a great way to get the cork out of the neck of the bottle. It may take some strength to pop the cork, but it should work in most cases. It is also a good way to avoid sloshing the wine all over your hands.
7. Heat
If you’re having a party or event at the beach, in your backyard, sailing on a boat, or just relaxing in the backyard with friends and want to drink some wine, but you don’t have a corkscrew, you may need to find another way to open the bottle. Thankfully, there are several ways you can open a wine bottle without a corkscrew that will work with almost all wines.
The first and easiest way to get the cork out is with heat. Place a lighter near the neck of the bottle and heat it up, making sure to keep it far enough away from the cork so that it doesn’t hit the wine. Once the cork starts to loosen, it should begin to pop out of the neck and then you can pull it out easily.
A slender wire hanger can also be used to make a hook that will pull the cork out. To make the hanger, partially straighten the two ends of the hanger so that they form a U-shape, and then slide one down into the cork alongside the other. Then rotate it so that it inserts into the cork and is under the cork, letting you pull it up.