How to Use an Ah So Corkscrew

Corkscrews come in many shapes and sizes. Some are easy to use and require little skill; others are more difficult and require a good amount of skill. The Ah So corkscrew is one of the more challenging of corkscrews. With a little practice, you will be able to use an Ah So corkscrew with grace and ease.

Things You'll Need

• Foil cutter

Instructions

1. Know the design of an Ah So corkscrew. These corkscrews do not have "worms" that are inserted into the cork. Instead, they have two thick prongs and one of the prongs is a bit longer than the other.

2. Remove the foil from the wine bottle. Ah So corkscrews do not come with foil cutters or a serrated knife. Remove the foil with a steak knife or a Swiss army knife.

3. Slide the longer prong in between the cork and the bottle. Slowly and gently, work the prong down a short way.

4. Insert the shorter prong. After the longer prong is inserted into the neck of the bottle, bend the handle of the Ah So corkscrew and gently insert the shorter prong.

5. Work both prongs down slowly by gently wiggling the corkscrew from side to side. Work them down until the handle of the Ah So corkscrew reaches the top lip of the bottle.

6. Slowly twist the cork while pulling up until the cork comes out clean.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice on an inexpensive bottle of wine before you move on to your pricier, older bottles. The corks in older bottles of wine are more fragile than the younger bottles.

• Make sure the cut on the wine bottle's foil is clean and smooth. Jagged pieces of foil will cut your hands.

• Do not force the prongs into the bottle. You will push the cork further into the bottle.

• Pull the cork out slowly. This will keep wine from spilling and the cork from breaking.