*This funny and educational tale comes from one of Deluxe Wine and Spirit’s wine enthusiasts, who sent in this short story to share their experience. We all at one point or another, have had a night where we need to figure out how to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew and have turned to google. Well this DWS fan tried all the popular listed methods and came up with three easy and user-friendly ways to open wine without a proper wine opener*
How Not To Open a Wine Bottle Without a Corkscrew
Storytime folks. The year is 2015. The setting: my new apartment. The characters: myself and my roommate whom I got along with 10% of the time. This was one of those times.
“I really want to drink this wine,” said my roommate. Let’s call her “Jane.”
“Alright, let’s do it! Wine Wednesday, am I right ladies?” I said as Jane rolled her eyes.
Unfortunately, us two silly, young adults didn’t have a corkscrew. We knocked on neighbors door to see if anyone could help us out to no avail. So we decided to google “how to open wine without a corkscrew” and came across the ol’ shoe trick. According to our research, if you line the neck of the bottle up against a doorframe and lightly tap with a shoe, the cork will slowly wiggle out.
“Try it,” Jane said handing me a shoe.
So here I go. *Deep breath* *Winds shoe up* And I blew it. I broke the neck of the bottle because I hit it way too hard. We just went with it and drank what didn’t spill out, although Jane was super upset for a solid week because I “ruined everything.”
Things like this can happen to any average Joe wine consumer. Maybe you planned the perfect night for your significant other. You remembered to cook a gluten-free meal and that they enjoy a nice red wine, full of flavors. For these occasions I choose Circova Merlot, full of almond and cherry notes to complement its sexy red color.
But alas! You forgot the wine opener. Shoot, it’s embarrassing to ask them to bring one over. Earlier they had asked “Should I bring anything?” and you had slyly replied “Just yourself and an appetite (winky face).” What do you do? Google search results had some helpful list, those of which included using a hammer and screw, the shoe method (which did not work for me), and the wire hanger technique.
With a group of friends and a number of bottles of wine, we tested some of the hacks we found on Google to see which work well and which don’t. So the next time you have a nice bottle of Kvint 242 Rose Pinot Noir for a night in with friends or your cat (no shame), below are the three easiest, most user-friendly ways to open wine without a proper wine opener.
Our Top 3 Tested Ways To Open A Wine Bottle Without A Corkscrew
1.The Key Method
The key method worked nicely. Everyone has keys, whether it’s for your car or your door. Insert the keys into the cork at an angle (very important we found. Do not go straight down) and turn the cork clockwise WHILE pulling up. Easy, simple, quick. You’ll be drinking with Mr. Mittens in no time.
2. Using a Wire Hanger
The wire hanger was trickier, but we wanted to test the tips that anyone could do. Not everyone has tools like screwdrivers and hammers. If you twist the wire hanger into a corkscrew shape, it works the same way. Be patient and careful, otherwise you’ll end up with shredded cork in your wine.
3. Push the Wine Cork In
If you are sure you are going to finish the bottle of wine, then this trick will be the easiest and least likely to result in error. Take a wooden baking spoon and with slight pressure (and maybe a friend holding the bottle) press the cork into the wine. Ta-da! Pour for everyone and don’t worry about the cork taste. It’ll be gone so quickly, you won’t notice.
Hindsight being 2020, just remember a corkscrew. Amazon has them for around $11. Target sells them and Walmart probably does too. I’m sure your local 711 or convenience store has them. However, these handy tricks will help when you’re in a bind. Good luck and happy sipping!
