How to Use a Winged Corkscrew

While a wine key is the official wine opener of most industry professionals--waiters, sommeliers and bartenders--a winged corkscrew is oftentimes the only opener available at many homes. If you find yourself in a bind with only a winged corkscrew available, fret not: With a little guidance, you'll be able to easily open that bottle of vino and be well on your way to imbibing in no time.

Things You'll Need

• Small knife

Instructions

1. Remove the foil. The foil is the small bit of metallic or plastic wrap covering the neck of the bottle and cork. With a small knife, cut in a circle underneath the lip of the neck. Using the knife's edge with your thumb as leverage, peel back the foil and discard. The top lip of the bottle and cork should now be exposed.

2. Embed the corkscrew. Raise the arms of the winged corkscrew up so the corkscrew part protrudes completely from the bottom. Holding the bottle with your other hand, insert the corkscrew into the top of the cork at an angle. Once it is securely embedded, raise it upright. Maintain your hold on the wine bottle and twist the corkscrew in further, twisting clockwise and using the knob on top of the winged corkscrew. Keep twisting until the corkscrew is completely embedded.

3. Pull out the cork. By now, the corkscrew should be almost all the way in, and the "wings" of the winged corkscrew should be stretched out to the sides. Using both hands, grab the wings and pull them down. This should simultaneously pull the cork out of the bottle.

4. Remove the cork from the winged corkscrew. Holding onto the cork with one hand, twist the knob on top of the winged corkscrew counter-clockwise until the cork comes free.