How to Open a Bottle of Wine

Knowing how to open a bottle of wine is a super useful skill. Unless the bottle of wine is sealed with a screw-cap, you will need to use a tool to get the cork out of the bottle. With a little practice you'll look like a pro do it.

Common Tools for Opening a Bottle of Wine

Waiter's Corkscrew

The most popular way to open a bottle of wine in a restaurant, is a waiter's corkscrew. The corkscrew folds to fit into a pocket or waitress apron. It includes a spiral corkscrew, a grooved lever, and a small knife for cutting foil.

1. Unfold the corkscrew, and line it up with the center of the cork. Rotate the entire device to drive the corkscrew as far as possible into the cork.
2. Angle the handle so you can place the end of the lever on the edge of the wine bottle. The groove in the lever should sit comfortably on the lip of the bottle, but you can use your hand to keep it from slipping.
3. Firmly hold the neck of the wine bottle, and lift up on the handle to pull the cork out.

Butterfly Wine Opener

The most popular tool for opening wine bottles at home is the butterfly corkscrew. This type of corkscrew is super easy to use and are perfect for beginners.

1. Line up the point of the screw point with the middle of the cork and lightly push down.
2. Turn the handle on the top, while making sure you leave the wings swing free. (the wings will raise up as you screw deeper into the cork.)
3. Place the bottle on a flat surface and press the wings downward.

Rabbit Wine Opener

The Rabbit is one of the easiest ways to open a bottle of wine.

1. Line the corkscrew needle up with the cork, making sure the lever is in the upward position.
2. Pull the lever down all the way, pressing the needle into the cork.
3. Firmly holding the side handles around the bottle, pull the lever back up and remove the cork.

• You could break the bottle, leaving you with a wasted beverage & possible cut hands.
• Most people do not enjoy pieces of cork floating in their wine.