Perhaps you’ve encountered this life scenario before: you find yourself with a wine bottle, yet no corkscrew. Dilemma! Do you forfeit the idea of drinking wine that evening because you didn’t think to buy a screw-top bottle? Of course not! Instead, follow one of these creative ways to open wine bottles without a bottle opener.
How to use a shoe to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew
- Remove the foil from the top of the bottle.
- Insert the bottom of the bottle into a shoe – a sneaker works great!
- Bang the sole of the shoe against a tree or another hard surface, like a wall, while carefully holding the bottle.
- Watch the cork pop out after a few bangs of the shoe (okay, it might be more than a few).
How to use a screwdriver to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew
- Gather a screw, a screwdriver and a hammer.
- Remove the foil from the top of the bottle.
- Use the screwdriver to twist the screw into the cork.
- Ply open the bottle by using the peen or claw of the hammer (the part meant to help remove a nail) to pluck the screw up and with it the cork. Bottoms up!
How to use a key to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew
- Remove the foil from the top of the bottle.
- Insert a key into the cork at an angle.
- Grab a towel to cushion your hand, and then, push the key into the cork as much as possible.
- Start to twist the key as you pull the cork out to free it. Cheers!
P.S. It seems almost anything sharp can free a wine cork, such as a wire hanger. Just a word of caution: No bottle of wine is worth injuring yourself to open it, so be careful!
How to use a bike pump to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew
- Remove the foil from the top of the bottle.
- Insert the needle of the bike pump into the cork.
- Keeping the top of the bottle away from your eyes and face, slowly pump the bottle with air and the cork will start to release up.
How to use a kitchen spoon to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew
- Remove the foil from the top of the bottle.
- Use the end of a wooden spoon to force the cork into the wine – but note this method works best with a rubber cork.
- Enjoy the fruits of your labor.
