5 Ways to Open a Wine Bottle Without a Corkscrew

Don't let the absence of a corkscrew keep you from your wine.

When you need a bottle of wine opened, a corkscrew almost always gets the job done, which is why people tend to panic when there isn't one around. Whether you just moved and haven't unpacked the kitchen box yet, or the corkscrew has gone missing in the flurry of dinner party prep, there are other ways, albeit unconventional, to open a bottle of wine.

Hammer and Screw Method

You may be able to replicate a corkscrew using a hammer and screw. Hold a long screw at the center of the cork and drive it in using a screw driver. The screw should go straight down into the cork, leaving about an inch of space between the screw head and the cork. Using the nail-pull end of a hammer, slowly pull the nail straight up, and the cork should come along with it. When driving the nail into the cork, avoid wiggling it around too much or it will widen the hole and prevent the cork from being pulled out with the nail.

The Pressure Method

For this method you will need to wrap the cork securely in thick kitchen towels to protect the bottle from breaking. Then hit the bottom of the bottle repeatedly against a firm surface such as a tree, the thick sole of a shoe, or a phone book. Avoid using a very hard surface such as a kitchen counter, which could end up causing the bottle to break. You should be holding the bottle at an angle away from you as you are hitting it against the surface. The pressure from hitting the bottle so many times will build up and cause the cork to pop out after a few minutes of consistent pounding.

Pushing-Cork-In Method

If you can't get the cork out, you can push it into the bottle to let the wine out. Grab a wooden spoon and use the handle end to push the corkscrew into the bottle until it is floating on top of the wine. Pour the wine through a decanter, if you have one, or a cheesecloth before serving to avoid your guests finding corkscrew sediment in their wine glass.

Coat Hanger Method

Another way to create a corkscrew to remove the cork is by straightening out a wire coat hanger and wrapping it around the length of a screwdriver. Use pliers to cut the excess wire off and drive the screwdriver and wire into the cork, turning it as you would with a real corkscrew. When the screwdriver is deep in the cork, carefully pull it straight up out of the bottle, bringing the cork with it.

Saber Method

Sabering a bottle of wine or champagne is usually only used for ceremony at special events. It's important to be extremely careful with this method and ensure that no one is in the way. You will need to use sparkling wine or champagne bottle. Regular wine bottles are made with thinner glass that will shatter when attempting to saber. Remove the foil and wire from the cork, then find the seam that goes down the length of the bottle. Hold the bottle firmly in one hand with the seam facing straight up. Position a butcher knife so that it is laying flat against the bottle right where the neck of the bottle begins. Next, firmly and swiftly slide the knife across the neck of the bottle, keeping it flat until it reaches the bottle lip, which should promptly fly off away from you. Sabering takes some practice to do it correctly, so practice on cheap bottles of wine before trying to impress your guests.

Resources

• Champagne Sabering: The Legends of the Noble Art of Sabrage