How to Open a Bottle Without a Corkscrew

Sometimes, you find yourself without a corkscrew: a picnic in the forest, an impromptu evening in a hotel room, an office gathering… If you’ve never faced this situation, you might still encounter it someday. Here are three tricks to prepare for it. With these, you can play the MacGyver among your friends or colleagues!

1. With a Shoe: The Most "Punchy" Method

One of the most well-known methods to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew is using a shoe. This is called the “shoe method.” Yes, it may sound surprising, but it works. Here's how to do it: remove the foil around the cork and place your bottle in the heel of the shoe. Press the shoe against a wall, holding the bottle firmly with one hand. With the other hand, start tapping gently by small increments, avoiding too much force to prevent breaking the bottle (which would be unfortunate). After about 5 minutes, gently remove the bottle and check the cork. If done correctly, the cork should now be two-thirds out. Finish the job by hand. The success of this simple yet effective technique is due to the repeated shaking, which causes the air in the bottle to push the cork out under pressure.

Conditions for effective results: the shoe must be hollow to hold the bottle securely when tapping against the wall. If you only have flip-flops or open-heeled shoes at hand, you can tap the bottom of the bottle with your shoe, but it will take longer for the cork to come out. Note that this method is much more effective with cork stoppers than with plastic ones.

2. With Keys: The Most Practical Method

Another accessory that proves to be a good alternative to a corkscrew is keys. If you’re at the end of a party and have lost or forgotten your keys, there’s not much that can be done. But since you usually don’t drink alone, you will always find someone who can lend you a set of keys. They are perfect, especially since you can use them to remove the foil around the cork. Insert one of the keys slightly into the cork, tilting it slightly to the side. Push it in as deeply as possible. Then gently pull until the cork comes out.

Conditions for effective results: a minimum of strength and a lot of dexterity. If you are more of a clumsy type than a Hercules or MacGyver, suggest the idea to your most resourceful friend. You may not be in charge, but you will have given the idea. You’ll still be the brain of the operation, which is quite commendable!

3. With a Bike Pump: The Most Unlikely Method

Another technique that can be ideal if you are camping is using a bike pump. Insert the pump's needle into the cork. Pump once or twice, and the cork will pop out as if by magic. At least according to an article from Démotivateur, though we couldn’t find a video proving this method’s effectiveness. But it doesn't hurt to try!