How to open a bottle of wine?

Open a bottle of wineTips to make it child's play! Opening a bottle of wine can be tricky depending on the tools you have. Here, we detail the procedures to follow so you can enjoy your wine in any situation.

How to open a bottle of wine with a corkscrew?

Use a sommelier's corkscrew

It's also called a "sommelier's knife." Start by removing the bottle's protective capsule (over-cork) with the blade of the sommelier's corkscrew. The cut should be made low enough so that the wine doesn't come into contact with the metal part of the capsule. During this step, the knife should rotate around the bottle, not the other way around. The bottle itself remains stationary, label facing your guests. Take your time to achieve a clean cut that doesn't damage the rest of the label. 
 Once the capsule is removed, place the corkscrew's worm in the center of the cork and rotate the bottle so that the worm penetrates completely. Now, place the first notch of the corkscrew on the rim of the bottle. Then, using your free hand, use your other hand to pry the cork out, while holding the bottle firmly with your other hand. Next, place the second notch of the corkscrew on the rim of the neck and repeat the process.

Use a lever corkscrew

Remove the protective capsule with a sharp kitchen knife (lever corkscrews are not usually equipped with a knife). 
Place the metal ring of the corkscrew against the top of the bottle. The wings should be lowered to the neck of the bottle. Turn the lever to push the screw into the cork until the wings are fully raised. Then, press down on both wings simultaneously to remove the cork. 
To remove the cork from the corkscrew, simply turn the handle counterclockwise. 
It should be noted that lever corkscrews are not recommended for opening vintage wines, as they can leave cork fragments in the neck of the bottle. For these fine wines, a sommelier's corkscrew is preferable.

How to open a bottle of wine without a corkscrew?

Use a lighter

You're probably wondering how to open a bottle with a lighter; it seems hardly feasible. However, here's how: 
Place your lit lighter on the neck of the bottle, just below the cap. The heat will cause the air to expand and the cap will pop out. Be careful not to stand in front of any of your guests if you don't want to end up in the emergency room! Also, avoid standing near any knick-knacks or lamps you value.

Use a sharp knife

As if using a screwdriver, insert the knife at an angle into the cork, then pull while slightly rotating the bottle. This is a delicate operation, as you mustn't damage the cork, but it's not really complicated if you take your time.

Use a screw, a screwdriver and pliers

Simply insert a screw, or better yet, three screws in a line, into the cork and drive them in using a screwdriver. Be careful not to push them in too far, or you won't have enough surface area to grip them with pliers. You also risk damaging the cork and causing pieces of cork to fall into the bottle. Note that you can also use nails instead of screws and proceed in the same way.

Use a key

If you don't have a knife or toolbox handy, you might have a key. You'll use the same technique as with a knife, gently rotating the bottle. However, this time the key should be inserted diagonally (at approximately a 45-degree angle) into the cork.

Use a shoe

There are two possible techniques. The first involves placing the bottle between your legs and taking hold of a shoe, striking the heel against the bottom of the bottle. The pressure will force the cork out the other side. 
The second technique will be to place the bottle in the shoe at the heel and then hit the shoe against a wall or any other rigid surface. 
In both cases, the cork will gradually come out. Be careful not to hit it too hard, or you risk breaking the bottle. The drawback of this technique is that the wine will be shaken, which is never a good thing. Furthermore, you risk spilling a large amount of wine if, by hitting it hard, the cork is ejected too quickly.

Push the cap in

If you don't have a corkscrew, you can push the cork into the neck of the bottle to allow the wine to flow out. Use an object with a diameter smaller than the neck and long enough to reach the end. You can use a metal pen, the handle of a knife, or the blades of a pair of scissors. 
Press the cork firmly enough so that it slides into the bottle. Be careful not to splash, though: the air intake could cause the wine to spray out when the cork goes in. It's best to do this over a sink.