How to Open a Bottle of Wine at a Dinner Party

The key to opening a bottle of wine at a dinner party is to create a great presentation without making a mess. There are many fancy corkscrew openers out there but all you need is a waiter's corkscrew. One that possesses a knife and corkscrew can work just as well as more expensive ones. With a little practice, you can amaze your guests with how to open a wine bottle.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Slice the wrapper below the overhang near the top of the bottle's neck. You can use the knife part of your opener or a sharp knife.

2. Remove the wrapping or seal placed around the wine bottle's cork. When you remove the wrapper, make sure you remove all the metal near the lip.

3. Open the corkscrew section of your opener and take note of the sharp tip on the corkscrew. Insert the corkscrew into the center of the bottle's cork. The key is to insert the corkscrew straight into the cork. Otherwise it may be difficult to twist the opener.

4. Twist the opener all the way until you reach the end of the corkscrew. Flip the hinge part of the opener so that it's resting on the edge of your bottle.

5. Hold the bottle securely in one hand and pull up on the opener with the other. The cork should release gently and might make a pop sound.

Tips & Warnings

• There are other bottle openers available other than a waiter's corkscrew. Popular openers include a waiter's pull and wine key.
• Some wines need time to breathe before serving them. Plan to open your wine and let it sit before serving it to allow it to do so.
• Don't worry if some cork pieces end up in the wine. Just pour the wine through a strainer and into a decanter to serve.
• If the wine touches the metal wrapping left around the bottle's lip when you're pouring, it can oxidize your wine. Remove all of the outer wrapping before you uncork or open the bottle.

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