Ever since the 1600’s, when the glass bottle and cork stopper became the preferred package for wine, we’ve been trying to figure out how to get the wine back out of the bottle!
There’s a way to remove the cork with a shoestring and a nail, or you could try sabering.
But what I recommend is the method used by winemakers and merchants, salespeople, sommeliers and savvy consumers throughout the known universe: the captain’s knife corkscrew.
Show You’re in the Know
Although it takes practice, a captain’s knife is the best tool to remove the cork intact, while impressing your family and friends.
Please watch this video for a step-by-step demonstration of opening a wine bottle with a captain’s knife.
The Wine Lover’s Best Friend
To purchase your own captain’s knife:
- Purchase from a wine or wine and spirits shop, not from a grocery store.
- Models range from under $10 (perfectly fine for home use) to over $200 (suited for a degreed sommelier).
- Choose a dual hinge model.
- Also preferred are:
- a long, serrated, sharp knife;
- a screw with a sharp tip.
Head’s Up!
If you are studying for a sommelier exam, follow precisely the guidelines set by the examining body. For instance, during a sommelier exam, the bottle should be held at all times, not rested on a table. Be on guard: your examiners will try to trip you up!
It Happens to the Best of Us
Even top-ranked somm’s break a cork, usually at the most embarrassing moment. Try removing the screw and gently re-inserting at an angle to grab the most of the broken cork. If need be, push the cork into the bottle and filter your wine thru a sieve.
For a private tutorial, join me for one of the following classes and arrive 30 minutes early. We’ll have plenty of bottles to open!
- Unlock the Secrets of Wine Thursday, March 13 6pm
- How to Bluff your Way through wine Thursday, March 27 6pm
And if all else fails, stick to screw caps!
