Guide Note

A corkscrew is used for opening cork stoppered bottles. A corkscrew has a curled wire and a handle. There are more elaborate corkscrews available.

Fast Facts

1. Price range: $1 to $225
2. Counter stabilizers available
3. Caution: Don't break the cork

The first step to opening a bottle of wine is to remove the foil covering the cork. Cut around the top of the foil with the tip of the corkscrew or a knife and remove it. Next you need to use an even pressure and turn the corkscrew so it screws down into the cork. Leave a little space at the top. Use the lever of the corkscrew to draw out the cork.

With a double winged corkscrew remove the foil as described above and then wind the corkscrew with an even pressure into the cork. The wings will go up as the screw gets deeper into the cork. After the screw is mostly in force the wings down; this will lift the cork out of the bottle. Then hold the corkscrew in your fist and pull it and the cork out of the bottle.