Are you ready to open an expensive bottle of wine but don't know where to start? A corkscrew is a basic tool with which you can extract both cork and synthetic corks with simplicity and elegance. Learn how to use it correctly to make a great impression in front of your guests.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Homemade Corkscrew
Step 1. Cut the aluminum cap that closes the bottle
Use a fairly sharp knife for this operation and make an incision on the neck of the bottle, just below the edge. You can also use the tip of the corkscrew if you don't have a small knife available. Make a circular cut.
Step 2. Remove the aluminum
With your fingers, remove the portion that covers the cork. If you wish, you can also remove the rest of the foil from the neck of the bottle; this is an optional but recommended procedure, especially if you plan to close it again. If you have trouble with this layer of aluminum foil, make a diagonal cut with the knife starting at the edge of the bottle.
Step 3. Lift the arms of the corkscrew
The classic homemade corkscrew has two levers that allow you to extract the cork easily. This movement causes the tip of the screw to protrude from the base of the instrument at the same time.
Step 4. Point the corkscrew to the center of the cork
Press the tip lightly making sure the screw is straight, parallel to the neck of the bottle.
Step 5. Insert the corkscrew
Apply firm but gentle pressure with the tip of the screw. Turn it using the top ring so that it penetrates the cork. Most screws turn clockwise.
As you insert the screw, make sure it always stays upright. If it starts moving diagonally, you will have to stop and start over, otherwise you risk breaking the cap
Step 6. Continue screwing in until the corkscrew fits snugly
At this point the arms should slowly rise to the highest position without needing your support. Don't screw in too much or you will break the cork. Stop when the last thread of the screw enters the cork.
Step 7. Push the arms down
Place the bottle on a flat surface and lower both levers. This movement lifts the cork from the neck of the bottle without difficulty.
Step 8. Pull out the cap
Swing the corkscrew slightly while pulling it slightly upwards. The cork should come out of the bottle neck with a delicate 'pop'.
Step 9. Detach the cap from the tool by twisting it
Lift the arms of the corkscrew and grab the cork with the other hand. Use the ring to unscrew the tip counterclockwise until the cap comes out. Let the wine breathe for a few minutes and taste it!
Method 2 of 3: Sommelier corkscrew
Step 1. Use the blade included with this tool to cut the aluminum cap of the bottle
Unlike home corkscrews, sommelier ones look like small resealable knives also equipped with a blade to engrave aluminum foil. Open the blade and cut the capsule under the edge, detach the latter and finally fold the blade into the handle of the corkscrew.
Step 2. Remove the screw and insert it into the cork
Apply firm but gentle pressure and screw the tool into the cork until the screw is almost completely sunk into the cork. Remember that it must go in a straight line; this tool does not have a structure that can guide you for this operation.
Step 3. Use the flap with the movable tooth to pry and lift the cap from the bottle neck
This tool, instead of having two side arms, uses its whole body as a lever. At one end there is a "flap" with a groove (called mobile tooth) that rests on the edge of the bottle. Place the tooth against the edge of the bottle and hold it steady with one hand. With the other, use the whole tool as a lever and pull upwards. This allows you to extract the cap. If your corkscrew has two movable teeth, attach the second tooth to the edge to almost fully extract the cork.
Step 4. Remove the cork from the neck of the bottle and detach it from the corkscrew
To completely remove the cap from the bottle, wave it slightly and then unscrew it from the self-tapping coil.
Method 3 of 3: Traditional Corkscrew
Step 1. Remove the aluminum cap from the bottle
You can use the tip of the screw or a knife.
Step 2. Screw the spiral inside the cork
Grab the handle with your closed fist so that the screw comes out of the space between the middle and ring fingers. Press the tip into the cap and keep a firm grip on the bottle. Screw the corkscrew until the spiral is almost completely inserted.
Step 3. Grab the bottle firmly
Hold it by the neck with your non-dominant hand and make sure that it rests against the body or in the crook of the elbow. Make sure that the bottle cannot slip and that there is no one nearby that you could hit if the cork suddenly gave way. Also, stay away from any surface that you don't want to get dirty with accidental splashes of wine.
Step 4. Pull the cap parallel to the neck of the bottle
Grab the handle of the tool with your fisted hand and pull without twisting. Maintain constant traction and don't make sudden movements. Since there is no lever system in this type of instrument, it could be very difficult (sometimes even impossible) to extract the cap if it is stuck. You will have to use a lot of force. Be ready in case the cork suddenly comes out. Be careful not to make any sudden movements or drop any wine.
If the cap is really blocked, try running very hot water on the neck of the bottle for 30 seconds. The heat should expand the glass enough to allow you to uncork the bottle more easily
Advice
- To remove the "stubborn" caps, run very hot water over the opening of the bottle.
- Most Swiss army knives also have a corkscrew. Get one and you can always enjoy excellent wine.
- Hold the corkscrew upright as you screw down.
Warnings
- Be careful, sometimes the cap could come out suddenly and you could hit someone nearby.
- Be careful not to overtighten the corkscrew, as some bits of the cork could fall into the wine.
