Tips 3: Remove Corks With A Knife

March 01, 2024

1. To open a bottle of wine without a corkscrew, you will need a flat, non-serrated knife that is thin enough to fit in the neck of the bottle. Choose a sharp knife that can easily push into the cork without much resistance, as a dull knife may cause the cork to get shoved into the bottle. Before using the knife, clean it with soap and water. Additionally, it is recommended to wear a pair of thick gloves to protect your hands, as this method can be potentially dangerous.

2. Remember to only use this method if you do not have a corkscrew available. Insert the knife into the edge of the cork, near the bottle, at a slight angle so that the tip of the knife burrows towards the center of the cork instead of pushing the knife in vertically. Depending on how much cork is left, push the knife up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep. Hold the neck of the bottle firmly with your other hand while you insert the knife into the cork. Ensure that you do not push the knife into the center of the cork. To achieve bigger and more powerful turns, position the knife close to the edge.

3. Turn and pull the knife upwards while carefully grabbing the exposed sides of the blade near the bottle opening. Proceed to drag the knife in circles around the bottleneck while pulling upwards and turning. Continue until enough of the cork is exposed to grab with your fingers. Turn slowly and carefully to avoid injury or breaking the cork further. If you are hesitant about gripping the blade, use the handle instead. Using the handle may result in a weaker pull.

4. Remove the knife and extract the cork with your fingers. Twist and pull upwards with a little force until it pops out. If the cork is too resistant, insert the knife perpendicularly into the side of the cork for leverage. Hold the knife steady with upward pressure while twisting the bottle with your free hand. Take care not to injure yourself. If you do not consume the entire bottle of wine in one sitting, use a stopper or transfer the remaining wine to a container with a lid for storage.

It's worth noting that this method may not work for synthetic corks or corks that are tightly wedged in the bottle. In such cases, it's best to invest in a corkscrew or seek alternative methods to open the bottle.