How To Open Wine
For those of us who have been enjoying wine for years, easing the cork out of a bottle becomes second nature. But we all have to start somewhere, which is exactly why we’ve created this page on how to open wine that’s been sealed the traditional way. Whether you’re new to wine or here to brush up on your technique, our guide is an absolute corker.
What You’ll Need To Open Your Bottle
When it comes to opening a bottle of dry wine that has a cork closure, you’ll need a little help from a friend. The aptly named ‘Waiter’s Friend’ corkscrew is very popular with waiters and bar staff, and a style of corkscrew many of us depend upon at home too.
Other bottle openers you’ll come across include the level pull corkscrew, the winged corkscrew (you know the one, it looks like a little person) and the twist corkscrew, as well as much fancier electric contraptions.
Steps To Follow
In our step by step guide on how to open wine, we’re using our trusty Waiter’s Friend as it’s never let us down. (Tip: If you’re shopping for one, keep in mind that this type of wine opener can also be referred to as a sommelier knife or a wine key.)
Step 1: Clean and Cut
Using a clean cloth, give the neck of the bottle a good wipe. Pick up your little wine-opening pal and pull out its retractable knife, known as a foil cutter. Hold the bottle still with one hand, and the corkscrew with the other, and slowly score the knife around the lip of the bottle, cutting off the top of the capsule.
Step 2: Screw It
Pop the retractable knife back into the corkscrew, then open out the screw. Keep it straight and screw down into the centre of the cork until only a couple of coils from the corkscrew are visible.
Step 3: Ease It Out
Hooking the metal fulcrum over the top of the bottle, ease the handle upwards, slowly drawing out the cork. If there are two metal hinges, use the larger, closest piece first, pulling the cork up halfway, and then the smaller hinge to finish and extract.
Step 4: Check It
Once the cork is out, check the bottle and have a little clean of the inside of the neck to make sure no loose pieces of cork or debris get into the wine when you start pouring. Now, grab your glass and pour!
Did You Know?
- Before the invention of glass wine bottles in the 1700s, wine was kept in amphoras that were sealed with a dollop of wet clay (check out History of Wine to find out more)
- When the waiter asks you in a restaurant to try the wine that’s just been opened, they’re not checking that you like the wine, they’re asking you to check the wine isn’t corked
- Larger wine glasses are best for red wines, as they create a large surface area for punchy aromas to develop, while white wines are more suited to medium size glasses that maintain the chilled serving temperature better
