How to Get Floating Cork Out of a Wine Glass

Dried-out corks can crumble into the wine bottle.

The cork that keeps wine fresh is made from bark; it can dry out and be brittle enough to break into pieces while you are opening the bottle. It is important not to put a wine bottle opener all the way through a cork so that pieces of the cork do not fall into the bottle. When pieces fall into the bottle, they are usually the first thing into the glass because cork is very buoyant and rises to the top. The pieces bounce around the wine glass, floating on top, and can be difficult to grab. The best way to prevent cork from getting into your wine glass is to open the bottle very carefully. But if it has, you'll need to take the following steps.

Things You'll Need

• Spoon
• Small tea strainer

Instructions

1. Use the spoon to fish out the larger pieces of cork one at a time.

2. Throw the cork and the wine in the spoon into the sink.

3. Use the small tea strainer to fish out the smaller pieces.

Tips & Warnings

• The cork will always float to the top, so skim the top, then wait for pieces that are pushed down to surface again, and you'll be able to get them next.

• It is bad form to use your fingers and will most likely push the pieces down and make them harder to grab.

References

• Cork Quality Council: Cork Production
• A Taste of Wine: Removing Cork Pieces from Wine