How to Open a Bottle of Wine

A refreshing glass of wine is the perfect end to a long day and the right beverage to enjoy alongside a decadent dinner. Follow these tips to learn how to open a bottle with ease and you'll be sipping in style in no time.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wine key

1. Pull the knife out of the corkscrew. Holding the wine bottle by the neck, press the knife into the foil along the bottle's bottom lip. Use a steady amount of pressure for an even cut.

2. Peel the foil back with the knife and discard the foil. Close the knife and pull the corkscrew out.

3. Grip the wine bottle's neck. Place your index finger on the end of the corkscrew, at the center of the cork and push the tip of the corkscrew slightly into the cork.

4. Twist the corkscrew until it is almost fully in the cork, taking care not to let the corkscrew fully penetrate the cork. This can result in cork pieces falling into the wine.

5. Press the corkscrew's lever onto the lip of the bottle. Support the lever with your thumb and pull up on the bottom of the corkscrew until the cork is nearly out of the wine bottle.

6. Move the cork back and forth gently using the corkscrew to fully remove it from the bottle without making a popping sound.

Tips & Warnings

• A wine key, also called a waiter's or bartender's corkscrew, that features a serrated knife is usually more effective at cutting foil than one that does not have a serrated edge.
• Always cut the foil on the bottle's bottom lip. Cutting the foil along the top lip can cause some of the foil to get into the wine, which can affect the wine's flavor.
• Wipe the edge of the bottle with a clean, damp towel after opening to collect any pieces of foil or cork that may remain. This also helps ensure the cleanliness of the bottle before the wine touches it during pouring.

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