How do you open a bottle of wine? As you probably know already, there are many ways to open a bottle of fermented grapes. I thought it might be fun to take a look at some of the traditional and the more unique ways that wine lovers gain access to their favorite beverage.
The traditional wine opener is a corkscrew. I have had my love/hate affair with the corkscrew in the past. Some of them are easy to use and don’t need to come with step-by-step instructions and then there are others that you’d think would be a piece of cake to use but they are awkward, difficult, and the bane of my existence. I’m of course speaking of my own experience so I’m sure we will all have a different experience and opinion of the techniques involved in opening a bottle of wine.
The corkscrew was invented in 1685 and the first official patent was filed in 1795 by Reverend Samuel Henshall. The wine bottles that had cork stoppers had to be opened somehow and since the earliest corkscrew version, many different styles and options have come into use. We will talk about some of the most popular and effective types.
The screw pull corkscrew – This corkscrew is the simplest design. You insert the worm (curved metal rod) into the cork and pull it out. What could be easier? This type does require some strength and stability in order to pull it straight out. It also comes in a pocket compact version for easy portability.
The waiter’s corkscrew – This type (also called wine key) is similar to the screw pull but it adds a lever to the design. It requires more skill to get the cork out but less arm strength. The process is to insert the worm into the center of the cork, rest the lever on the rim of the bottle at just the right angle and pull the cork out. The waiter’s corkscrew comes with a foil cutter and is quite portable. This is the corkscrew that I needed to master. It’s the elegant type that is used to open bottles in restaurants. And they make it look so easy!
The winged corkscrew – This corkscrew is one that I use often. It is easy to use and doesn’t require very much strength and skill. You place it over the cork and insert the worm straight down into the center of the cork. This type has 2 levers (or wings) that raise up as you twist and lower the worm into the cork. Then, all you need to do is lower the wings and the cork will come out. I’ll warn you that if you choose this type of corkscrew, pick a durable more expensive version. The cheaper ones tend to fall apart easier.
The lever corkscrew – Anyone suffering from arthritis or carpal tunnel will do well with this type. It’s easier to use than the winged corkscrew. Basically, they have handles that hold the wine bottle in place while you lower the screw using a lever, then simply pull it back out. Voilà ! The cork comes right out!
The electric corkscrew – This is one of my personal favorites. I have used one of these for years for its convenience and accuracy in removing the dreaded cork that lies between me and my wine. It truly does all the work. You place the gadget on top of the wine bottle, press a button, and like magic, the cork comes out and your wine is ready to serve! What’s easier than that? These are a bit more expensive, but I think they are worth it if you are entertaining a group and opening a few bottles.
All of these are very effective ways to open that precious bottle of wine with a cork stopper. Whichever one you are personally comfortable with will be the winner. I personally like the winged corkscrew or the electric corkscrew. I always thought the waiter’s corkscrew was cool and so elegant until I tried to do it. I was so far from elegant! I just couldn’t get the hang of it. That is until recently. I finally got it down…after several attempts and several bottles of wine. It’s all about practice, right?
One of the more exotic and cool ways to open a wine bottle…specifically a champagne bottle, is with a saber. This is called Saberage and it has got to be one of the more opulent and grand ways to open a bottle. This technique entails chilling the bottle (between 38 degrees and 42 degrees F), having a sabering sword on hand (how elegant is that!), holding the bottle at the neck, removing the foil, loosening the cage with your thumb firmly pressed against the cork, finding the seam on the bottle and putting it face up, placing the saber on the seam, holding the bottle at its very bottom at a 45 degree angle, and last but not least…the moment of truth…sliding the saber along the seam to the neck of the bottle and firmly hitting the lower lip of the bottle. You have sabered a champagne bottle! So cool!
If none of these techniques appeal to you, there’s always the screw top wine bottle. These are very easy to open, and it says nothing about the wine that’s inside. There are very many New World wineries that have been utilizing screw top bottles for a while. Many of the wines of New Zealand and Australia are in bottles with screw tops. They provide easy access, and you don’t need any tools! Some of my personal favorites are in these types of bottles. Just unscrew the bottle and enjoy!
At the end of the day, the goal is to open your beautiful bottle of wine with whatever means you have at your disposal and enjoy the perfect evening with friends, family, or someone special. Me? I’ll keep practicing and trying out all the new gadgets!
Cheers!