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How to Pull a Cork

Contributor
By Katie O'Connor
eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)

Servers make it seem easy, but pulling a cork from a wine bottle is a bit tough. Impress your dinner guests by opening a wine bottle with ease, using these simple steps.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Wine BottleCorkscrew

    How to Pull a Cork

  1. Step 1

    The first step of this process deals with how to pull a cork using a lever corkscrew, which is a basic spiral corkscrew which extands with an arm that looks much like the end of a hammer. This is a "waiter's" corkscrew. We will discuss this first.

  2. Step 2

    First, center the spiral of the corkscrew firmly into the center of the cork. The arm of the corkscrew will not yet be used, but should extend to the side of the wine bottle.

  3. Step 3

    Hold the wine bottle firmly down on a flat surface.

  4. Step 4

    Begin to screw the handle of the corkscrew down into the cork of the bottle. You should be able to do this by turning it clockwise.

  5. Step 5

    Once the corkscrew has extended 3/4 of the way into the cork, stop. You have inserted it firmly enough so that you can begin to remove it.

  6. Step 6

    Tilt the arm of the corkscrew onto the lip of the bottle. This will form a lever.

  7. Step 7

    Pulling at the top of the corkscrew, use the lever formed by the arm of the corkscrew to pull of the cork. If this doesn't work, turn the handle clockwise once more, and pull firmly towards you to remove the cork.

  8. To Pull a Cork Pt. 2

  9. Step 1

    To use a dual-armed corkscrew, you may use much the same method as above.

  10. Step 2

    When beginning to insert the corkscrew, the center circular bit will be towards the top. Insert the spiral into the center of the corkscrew and begin to turn clockwise.

  11. Step 3

    The corkscrew will begin to turn into the cork, and the center circular bit will move closer to the corkscrew itself. Continue until the spiral is nearly completely inserted into the cork.

  12. Step 4

    Once this is completed, press down on both arms of the corkscrew. This should pull the cork completely out. If the cork doesn't come out completely, repeat the process.

Tips & Warnings
  • This is truly a trick of the trade. It will take some practice to pull a cork with ease.Many wine bottles are now made with rubber/foam corks. These work the same as regular corks, so proceeed as usual.
  • If a cork breaks, don't fret! Just proceed as usual, with attention to easing the corkscrew into the cork, as not to break apart the delicate cork into your wine.
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eHow Article: How to Pull a Cork

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