There was a time when I relied solely on those fancy electric wine opener’s to open wine…until I got annoyed spending $50+ on a new one each year because they’d break. They would always seem to break right when I needed to open a bottle to share with guests. Leaving me digging through the catch all kitchen drawer for a corkscrew or a bottle opener. I’ve since changed my ways and solely rely on opening a bottle of wine WITH a corkscrew, but what happens when you don’t have one on hand? Don’t worry, you’re not screwed. There are a lot of ways to open a bottle of wine without a corkscrew.
Preparation and Safety
Before you start trying to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew, it’s important to set yourself up for success—and safety. First, find a stable, flat surface to work on so your wine bottle won’t slip or tip over. Keep a towel nearby to catch any spills or to wrap around the bottle for extra grip and protection. When using household items like screwdrivers, serrated knives, or keys, remember to apply steady, gentle pressure—too much force can cause the bottle to break or the cork to crumble into the wine. Always handle sharp objects with care, and never rush the process. Taking a few extra moments to be careful can help you avoid accidents and ensure your wine opening adventure ends with a perfect pour, not a mess.
Five ways to open wine without a corkscrew
1. Screw It (literally)
Simple items such as a long screw, screwdriver and a hammer can easily be used to open a bottle of wine without a corkscrew. Just use the screwdriver to screw the screw into the center of the cork. Leave enough room so you can use the hammer to lift the cork out, then pull the cork out completely once it is loosened.
2. Heat the Cork Out
This might be my least favorite way to open wine without a corkscrew simply because I don’t like applying heat to the neck of the bottle or adding glass to my wine. But if you have a lighter or kitchen torch you can get your bottle open and do a little science experiment at the same time.
Before applying heat, let the bottle rest at room temperature for a while to reduce the risk of breakage.
Using a lighter or kitchen torch, heat the neck of the wine bottle, turning the bottle as you’re heating so it’s evenly heated on all sides. When the glass neck of the bottle is heated, the glass will expand. Yet, the wine in the bottom is keeping that portion of the glass cool, causing the glass to contract and ultimately push the cork out. (The bottle should NOT BE COLD or it will explode, ruining the wine and potentially hurting you. Avoid a rapid change in temperature, as this can cause the bottle to explode.) When I say the cork pushes out, it’s more like pop, explode, fly across the room. So, wear glasses and make sure to move your head – and other objects – away from the bottle. Keep in mind this method of opening wine without a corkscrew could cause your bottle to shatter or break.
3. Push It
Grab a wooden spoon or any other blunt object, such as the butt of a knife, spoon, pen, or key. Apply pressure in the center of the cork and slowly push down so the cork is gradually pushed into the bottle, allowing you to pour the wine. The downside to using this method is that the cork remains in the bottle. If it’s old and crumbly, cork pieces may fall into the wine, so you may want to strain the bottle to remove the cork pieces. If this does happen, you can use a strainer over your decanter and pour the bottle in. After straining out the cork pieces, you can enjoy drinking your wine. Viola, no more cork!
4. Unlock the Bottle
Using a key or serrated knife, press it down into the middle of the cork at an angle. Try to get it about halfway into the cork. Before you start twisting and lifting, make sure to point the cork away from yourself and others to avoid injury or spills. Then twist and lift, twist and lift, twist and lift. If the cork breaks during your twisting and lifting, you’ll need to plan to go back to the pushing method.
5. Smack, Slap or Hit It Out
This is known as the shoe method. You might be mad that you don’t have your corkscrew but you shouldn’t take it out on the bottle, although you totally can. All you need is a towel and a shoe. I’m not a huge fan of this method because I don’t really like my wine shaken or stirred so I would use this as a last resort.
Wrap the bottle in a towel, turn it upside down so the cork is facing the ground. Place the bottle in between your legs, or alternatively, press it firmly against a wall to hold it in place. Take a shoe and hit the bottle with the butt of the shoe. The cork will begin moving out of the bottle due to the pressure caused by the hitting. This method requires some elbow grease and may take some time, so you’ll definitely be working out your frustration in having lost your corkscrew. Be careful not to use too much force, as there is a risk of breaking the bottle. To avoid adding more frustration, make sure to stop hitting the bottle before the cork gets all the way out or you’ll be dealing with getting wine stains out of your carpet.
Elaine Schoch
Elaine Schoch (pronounced the German way – Shock) is an award-winning travel writer, wine judge, certified by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 2 and founder/editor at Carpe Travel. She is married to The Husband and has two kids, who’s interest and knowledge in wine is quite extensive. Not to mention the stamps in their passports.
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Elaine Schoch is an award-winning travel writer, wine judge, American Wine Specialist and certified by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET II). At Carpe Travel she shares wine travel destination guides for ALL WINE LOVERS – from novices to experienced pros – to help them plan their wine adventures, arming them with insider tips, must-visit spots, and things to see and do beyond the vines.