How to open a wine bottle with any kind of corkscrew

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How to open a wine bottle with any kind of corkscrew

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  • Many people think opening a bottle of wine is a difficult process, but with the right tools, it is quick and easy.
  • We break down how to open a wine bottle and offer up recommendations for great corkscrews that get the job done.
  • Barvivo makes our favorite waiter's corkscrew, HiCoup makes a great affordable wing corkscrew, and Oster has the best electric wine opener for just $16.

Once you have opened a few bottles of wine, you'll realize the process is no big deal. Before that, you may well find the prospect so daunting that you stick to wine served in boxes or cans.

Don't worry, it's not just you: Lots of people think opening wine bottles is difficult and will pass the job onto someone more confident in their cork-pulling abilities whenever possible. Today, you will become that someone.

There are lots of ways to open a bottle of wine, many of which are decidedly unusual. You can tuck the bottle into a shoe and bang it against a wall. You can use a screw and a pair of pliers. You can slide a knotted shoelace down past the cork and then pop it out by force.

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Or, of course, you can use one of the many dedicated cork-removing products available these days, such as classic waiter's corkscrew.

We'll get into the best wine opening tool options soon, but before we get to that, a quick reminder for those who truly are new to the wine bottle opening game: Make sure you cut away the foil or wax covering the cork before you try to pop the thing out. This is all the more true if you're using an electric corkscrew. The poor thing will have no idea what it's doing wrong. Consider investing in a foil cutter if you plan to start opening lots of wine bottles. You can also check out our guide to the best wine openers here.

Here's how to open a bottle of wine with every kind of corkscrew.

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How to open a wine bottle with a waiter's corkscrew

How to open a wine bottle with a waiter's corkscrew

A waiter's corkscrew is the little pocketknife-style device with a folding corkscrew, fulcrum and boot lever (the metal piece you rest on the lip of the bottleneck), and a foil cutter.

You can get an excellent waiter's corkscrew for less than $15, and you can find perfectly adequate options for well under $10, too, but our favorite is the $13 Barvino Professional Corkscrew.

Once you have the foil off the top of the bottleneck, here's how to use one — you've got this, be brave!

1. Twist the corkscrew clockwise down into the cork until the last coil is covered.

2. Rest the middle step of the fulcrum on the lip of the bottleneck and firmly pull away from the bottle with the handle, lifting the cork halfway out of the bottle.

3. Place the lowest step of the fulcrum (the boot lever) on the lip and draw the cork up entirely — if it doesn't pop completely free, twist the corkscrew out and just pull it out.

Buy the Barvivo Professional Waiters Corkscrew on Amazon for $12.94

How to open a wine bottle with a wing corkscrew

How to open a wine bottle with a wing corkscrew

Wing corkscrews require less exertion of strength, thanks to the application of a classic simple machine: the lever. Or, in this case, two levers. Also, gears play a role here, as does torque, but enough physics and mechanics — let's open wine with a wing corkscrew.

1. Position the corkscrew above the wine bottle and firmly grasp the bottom of the corkscrew and the top of the bottle with one hand.

2. Twist the handle clockwise until the coils of the corkscrew are fully embedded in the cork. The wings will rise as the corkscrew draws itself downward.

3. Place the bottle on a flat surface, then use both hands to press the wings down simultaneously, drawing the cork up out of the bottle as you do so.

Buy the Wing Corkscrew Wine Opener by HiCoup on Amazon for $15.95
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How to open a wine bottle with an electric corkscrew

How to open a wine bottle with an electric corkscrew

While not the fastest way to open a wine bottle (a master hand with a waiter's corkscrew will get it done in about five seconds), an electric corkscrew is certainly the easiest way to do it.

And if you can push a button, you can open a bottle of wine.

1. Slide the electric corkscrew over the top of the bottle, ensuring the tip of the first coil is centered on the cork.

2. Press and hold the extraction button until the cork pops out.

3. Push the other button to get the cork back out of the shaft.

That's it. And that last step wasn't even technically part of the process.

Buy the Oster Electric Wine Opener on Amazon for $16.19

Check out our other wine-related buying guides

Check out our other wine-related buying guides
The best wine subscriptions you can buy

There are only 149 Master Sommeliers in the United States, but just because you haven't earned that distinction doesn't mean that you can't pick great wine.

We've tested multiple services and their wines (a tough job, but someone's gotta do it!), and have selected some of our favorites for you to try. Whether you've been drinking wine your whole life or are just beginning to discover whether you prefer red to white, we've got you covered.

Here are the best wine subscriptions we've tried:

  • Best wine subscription overall: Winc
  • Best wine subscription for everyday needs: HelloFresh
  • Best wine subscription for sampling: Vinebox
  • Best wine subscription for pairing with foods: Blue Apron
  • Best wine subscription for personalization: Bright Cellars
  • Best wine subscription that evolves with your tastes: Firstleaf
The best wine aerators you can buy

By exposing wine to several minutes' worth of air in just a few seconds, a good aerator is one of the simplest, easiest, and cheapest ways to get the most flavor out of your wines.

We've done the research to smoke out the best wine aerators that cover every need and price point, so read on to find the right one for your next wine party.

Here are the best wine aerators you can buy:

The best wine glasses you can buy

The size, shape, construction, and style of a wine glass can dramatically alter how the wine will taste. The best overall wine glass for everyday use is the Libbey 4 Piece Signature Kentfield Grande Wine Set.

You should also consider the Riedel Vivant 4 Piece White Wine Glass Set, the 2 Piece Riedel Veritas Cabernet/Merlot Glass Set, and the 4 Piece Royal Stemless Wine Glass Set.

The best wine openers and corkscrews you can buy

There's nothing like a glass of wine after a long day, but getting into the bottle can be a hassle without a good wine opener or corkscrew.

We've researched across the web to find the very best wine openers you can buy for any situation and on any budget. We've included electric wine openers, high-end handmade ones, your average corkscrew, and more to suit any tastes.

Here are the best wine openers and corkscrews:

The best Champagne glasses you can buy

A celebration calls for Champagne, and Champagne calls for a special glass. Lehman Glass and chef sommelier Philippe Jamesse have created the perfect tulip-shaped glass, which marries the design of a Champagne glass and wine glass to hold bubbles and aromatics better than any glass we tested.

Here are the best champagne glasses you can buy:

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