December 14, 2022, 11:44 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Opening a wine bottle isn’t difficult, at least if you have the right tool. But if there’s no corkscrew handy, opening it can become a fiddly task. myHOMEBOOK presents four simple ways to pull the cork out of the bottle in this article.
The best way to end a long day is with a glass of red wine in the evening. The relaxation quickly fades if you can’t find a corkscrew. To still get to the delicious contents of the bottle, the cork must come out of the neck–but how? In the video, myHOMEBOOK presents four easy tricks to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew.
1. The Shoe Trick
Everyone surely has shoes at home. What many don’t know: You can open a wine bottle without a corkscrew using them. Wrap a shoe in a towel and then hit the bottom of the bottle with the heel. The cork will gradually give way and eventually pop out.
2. The Finger Trick
The finger trick requires some strength in your hands. Place your thumb directly on the cork and then press down. Usually, a simple wooden spoon is enough to push the cork into the bottle. However, for those who appreciate good taste, this method might not be ideal.
Related: Do wine corks need to be disposed of separately?
By the way: Many winemakers and the cork industry have now introduced plastic alternatives to prevent cork taint, reports the German Wine Institute.
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3. The Screw Trick
With a simple screw and a pair of pliers or a fork, you can easily replace the missing corkscrew. Just screw a screw into the cork–and then lever it out with pliers. If you don’t have pliers on hand, a regular fork will do.
4. The Fire Trick
Heat can also help open a wine bottle without a corkscrew. The air between the wine and the cork in the bottle needs to be heated from the outside. Use either a lighter or a crème brûlée torch. The heat causes the air to expand, pushing the cork upward and eventually popping it out like champagne.