10 Easy Ways to Open a Wine Bottle Without a Corkscrew

Are you wondering how to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew? Well, worry no more!

Today, we will show you 10 ways to open a bottle of wine without a corkscrew. Whether you want a simple but fun party trick or you forgot to bring your corkscrew to the BBQ, one or two of these methods will likely help you!

1. Twist It Out: Use Screw Hooks

For this method, all you will need is a screw hook.

The screw hook will act as your corkscrew. All you have to do is screw it on the cork, and once it is in good, you want to gently but firmly pull. As you can see, the hook will act as a handle. This kind of screw comes in different sizes. The bigger you can find, the better then.

A screw eye will also work if you do not have screw hooks.

2. Pull It Out: Use Some Tools

You might want to bring out your toolbox for this one.

First, gather some screws and find the longest one. After that, you want to screw it on the cork but do not screw it all the way. Leave some space.

Once the screw is secured, take a hammer. Using the claw part of the hammer, you want to grab the screw and pull. Again, make sure to do it gently but firmly.

If you do not have a hammer, pliers could also work. On the other hand, if you do not have any screws, you can use some nails. However, make sure you do not hammer them down too hard.

3. Push It In: Use a Pen

This one is easy. However, you might only want to consider this one if you and your friends plan to finish the whole bottle. All you have to do with this method is to use the blunt part of the pen and use it to push the cork down.

You can use other tools for this one. However, it should be long and sturdy enough to push the cork down. Additionally, it should have a blunt end, or the cork might crumble in your wine.

4. Push It Out: Use the Wall

For this method, you would need a towel and a sturdy wall.

First, you want to wrap the base of the bottle with a towel. Next, gently start pounding the bottom of the wine bottle on the wall. Gradually, strike harder. Eventually, you will see the cork going out. With the pressure you are making with all the thumping, you are basically pushing it out from within the bottle.

Once the cork comes out enough for you to get a grip on it, you want to stop the pounding. Otherwise, you will have the adult version of spilled milk. Spilled wine! Manually pull it out with your hand after.

If you do not have a towel, you can also use a thin book or some magazines. If you still do not have those, you can even use a shoe! You only want to make sure the wine bottle does not get in direct contact with the wall.

As you might expect, this one is not the safest method on the list as there is the possibility that the bottle could break. However, it is one you can consider if you do not have any tools at your disposal.

5. Tap It Out: Use a Shoe

There is another way to use a shoe.

Start this one by getting your wine bottle and turning it upside down. Next, you want to hold it steady by holding it between your thighs. (It is optional, but you can also wrap the base of the bottle with a towel in this method to further avoid the possibility of breaking it.)

After that, you want to take a shoe and hit the bottle with the sole of it. Check on the cork from time to time. You want to stop when you can already get a good grip on it. Manually pull it out with your hand after.

6. Swivel It Out: Use a Key

For this method, you need a key. You do not need any particular key, but the longer the blade, the better. Also, you might want to make sure you do not use a rusty one.

First, you want to use the pointy end of the key to break a bit of the hard covering of the cork. Next, when you expose the soft part, you want to insert the key on that spot. After that, you twist the key around with a slight upward tug. Eventually, the cork should come out.

With this method, make sure you take things slow and steady. Otherwise, the cork might break.

If you do not have a key, or it is too dull to be used as a corkscrew replacement, you can also use a knife or a pair of scissors. As you already know, these things are sharp so make sure you take some caution with them.

7. Fish It Out: Use a Hanger

For this method, you need a pair of pliers and a wire hanger. First, you want to cut a straight part from the hanger. For the length, the longer, the better. After that, you want to curve one end of the wire and make it look like a hook.

Next, shimmy the curved part of the wire in the opening between the cork and bottle until it gets past the former. Finally, turn the curve until the point gets under the cork and fish it out.

If you do not have a wire hanger to spare, you can also use some paper clips. Two, at least.

First, straighten out both of your clips without bothering the curves at each end. After that, you want to shimmy the two, on opposite sides, in between the cork and bottle. Once the curved part of the two is past the bottom of the stopper, turn them until the point gets under the cork and fish it out.

8. Pop It Out: Use a Bike Pump

From hereon, the methods are more fun than practical. Well, that is, unless you do not have any of the tools above and only have a bike pump with you!

This one is pretty easy. It is just like you are pumping a bike.

For this method, you need a bike pump that has a needle. You want to stick it all the way through the cork. Once it is in place, start pumping. Soon, you will see the cork pop out of the bottle!

9. Let It Fly Out: Use a Lighter

If you do not have any of the tools above, you can use some heat to get the cork out. However, do not forget that the wine bottle should not be cold for this! A cold bottle could explode if you use some heat on it, and you will not only deal with spilled wine.

First, place the bottle of wine on a flat surface. Next, light up your lighter and put it near the neck of the bottle. You want the heat to be below the cork. Eventually, it will fly right out. That is why you want to ensure there is nothing close that it could hit and break.

10. Slice It Out: Use a Sword

If all else fails, you can always use any sword that is just lying around your house!

Our guts tell us there is a higher chance you have a corkscrew than a sword. However, if you have a saber or katana and are skilled with it, we do not see why you should miss the opportunity to open a bottle of wine with it! It is not the most practical way to do things, but it is probably one of the most entertaining ways to do so!

See how the famous chef did it right here:

You will be taking a part of the neck with this method. It supposedly always comes out as a clean cut. However, do not forget to inspect your drink before you down it for safety measures.

Things to Keep in Mind

Here are a few things you want to keep in mind whichever method you choose:

Do Not Forget to Take Off the Outer Covering

Usually, the cork is not the only covering of the lip of the bottle of wine. Do not forget to take these things off before attempting any of the methods above.

Safety First

We have thrown a few safety reminders here and there. However, whichever method you choose, make sure you take some caution!

Final Words

How to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew? With the 10 ways we showed you, we hope we got to answer your question!

As you have seen today, there are many ways to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew. However, there are even more things to learn about wine and wine bottles. Now, if you want to know more, you can go ahead and check out our other talks! We still have tons of wine knowledge and trivia to share with you!