How To Open A Wine Without A Wine Opener: Easy Hacks That Work
Ever found yourself ready to enjoy a nice bottle of wine only to realize you don’t have a corkscrew? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Whether you’re at a picnic, on a date, or just at home without the right tool, there are several clever ways to open a wine bottle without a wine opener. In this guide, we’ll show you simple, safe, and effective methods to pop that cork and enjoy your wine stress-free.
1. Make use of a hammer, screwdriver, and screw
Using a screw, a screwdriver, and a hammer is one of the most dependable methods for opening wine without a corkscrew.
How to do it:
Using a screwdriver, twist a long screw into the cork, leaving about an inch protruding.
Pull the screw and cork out together using the back of a hammer’s claw.
Take care not to spill the wine.
Why it works: The screw provides sufficient grip to safely extract the cork, much like the spiral on
2. Open It With a Shoe
Yes, your shoe can help you open a wine bottle!
Steps:
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Place the bottom of the wine bottle inside a sturdy shoe (preferably with a thick sole).
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Firmly hit the heel of the shoe against a wall several times.
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The cork will slowly move upward—stop before it pops out completely to avoid a mess!
Pro Tip:
Make sure the bottle is protected by the shoe so it doesn’t break.
3. Push the Cork In With an Object
If you can’t pull the cork out, just push it in.
What you’ll need:
A wooden spoon handle, pen, or similar blunt object.
How to do it:
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Place the bottle on a stable surface.
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Firmly press the cork down until it drops into the wine.
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Pour carefully to avoid cork pieces getting into your glass.
4. Make Use of an Air Needle or Bike Pump
This is a fairly successful technique if you have a bike pump with a needle connection.
Guidelines:
Place the needle between the bottle neck and the cork.
Pump air into the bottle gently.
The cork will be smoothly forced out by the pressure.
Safety Tip: A few strokes should be sufficient; avoid over-pumping.
5. Apply Heat (The Hot Water Method)
Caution: This procedure needs to be handled carefully.
Procedure:
Pour boiling water into a bowl or sink.
For three to five minutes, submerge the wine bottle in the water.
The bottle’s air expands due to the heat, gradually raising the cork.
You may easily remove the cork once it has risen sufficiently.
Bonus Tip: The Key Twist Method
If you have a house key, you can also use it to open wine.
How it works:
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Insert the key diagonally into the cork.
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Twist and pull upward while rotating the bottle.
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The cork should come out gradually.