To open a bottle of wine with a corkscrew, cut the foil just below the lip and lift it off. Set the tip of the screw in the center of the cork and turn it straight down until one twist still shows. Lever the cork up in two steps, then ease the last bit out by hand.
How do you use a waiter's corkscrew, step by step?
A waiter's corkscrew, also called a wine key, folds a foil blade, a screw and a hinged lever into one small tool. Keep the bottle standing on a counter while you work, so it stays steady.
- Cut the foil. Fold out the small blade and run it around the neck, just below the lip. Turn the bottle, not the blade, and keep your fingers clear of the edge.
- Lift off the top. Peel away the cut circle of foil and wipe the top of the cork with a cloth.
- Center the screw. Open the screw at a right angle to the handle. Press the tip into the middle of the cork, tilted slightly, then bring it upright as it bites.
- Turn it in. Turn the whole tool clockwise, keeping the screw straight. Stop when one twist is left above the cork.
- Lift on the first notch. Fold the lever down and rest its first notch on the lip of the bottle. Hold it there with your thumb and raise the handle slowly.
- Lift on the second notch. Once the cork is about halfway up, move the second notch onto the lip and lift again.
- Finish by hand. Hold the cork and rock it gently out. Easing it out by hand keeps the cork whole and the wine from splashing.
- Wipe the neck. Wipe the rim before you pour.
If your corkscrew has a single notch, lift in one slow, steady movement instead.
What are the main types of wine openers?
Every opener grips the cork and draws it straight up. They differ in how much work your hands do.
| Opener | How it works | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|
| Waiter's corkscrew (wine key) | A foil blade, a screw and a hinged lever that rests on the lip | You want one small tool for the kitchen drawer or a picnic bag |
| Winged corkscrew | Turning the top handle drives the screw in and raises two arms; pressing the arms down lifts the cork | You want a simple tool that needs little strength |
| Lever opener | Clamps onto the neck; pushing the lever down drives the screw in, and lifting it back draws the cork out | You are opening several bottles for a table of friends |
| Electric opener | A small motor turns the screw in, then reverses to draw the cork out | You want help with grip or wrist strength |
| Two-prong opener | Two thin blades slide down either side of the cork; a twist and a pull lift it out whole | The cork is old, soft or starting to crumble |
With a winged corkscrew, center the screw before you turn the handle, or it drifts to one side. With a two-prong opener, work the longer blade in first, then rock both down in small steps.
Where do you cut the foil?
Cut just below the lip, the raised ring at the top of the neck. Wine then pours over the clean glass lip and never runs across the cut edge of the foil.
How do you open a bottle with a wax top or a screw cap?
Wax top. Leave the wax on. First roll the neck between your palms for a few seconds to warm the wax a little. Then set the screw in the center and turn it straight through the wax into the cork. Lever as usual, and the wax cracks as the cork rises. Brush any crumbs from the rim before you pour.
Screw cap. It needs no opener. Hold the cap still in one hand and turn the bottle with the other until the seal gives.
Why stop one turn short, and what if the cork crumbles?
Stopping with one twist showing keeps the tip inside the cork. Driven right through, the screw can push cork crumbs into the wine. Set too shallow, it can tear out of the top of the cork.
If a cork starts to crumble, stop pulling. Turn the screw back into the solid part at a slight angle and lift again, slowly. If it breaks off in the neck, our guide to opening wine without a corkscrew shows how to push it in and strain the wine.
How do you put a cork back in a wine bottle?
Put the cork back the way it came out, wine-stained end first. Twist it in at a slight angle, then press it down firmly. A wine stopper works too.
Stand the bottle upright in the fridge, red included. Our guide to how long wine lasts after opening gives the days for each style. Pouring a young Cabernet Sauvignon or red blend? Our serving temperature and glass guide says how long to decant it.
Can you use a corkscrew on sparkling wine?
No. A sparkling wine cork is under pressure and comes out by hand. Our sparkling wine label guide walks through opening one safely.
What should you pour once it is open?
- 2022 Vintner Red Blend: cherry, raspberry, cocoa powder and vanilla. Pour it with BBQ ribs or grilled bacon burgers, at about 60 to 65°F.
- 2023 Vintner Cabernet Sauvignon: dark berries, toffee and hints of vanilla. Open it for beef filet, and use a large glass that gives the aromas room.
- 2023 Vintner Chardonnay: green apple, bright citrus and vanilla. Serve it chilled, about 45 to 50°F, with fresh crab or Dijon chicken.
Opening a few bottles for a tasting? Lay the corkscrew and a cloth beside the glasses, and see our guide to hosting a wine tasting at home. ONEHOPE wine also gives back. Pouring next? See how to hold a wine glass.
Frequently asked questions
How do you use a wine key?
Cut the foil below the lip with its blade, and turn the screw into the center of the cork until one twist shows. Lift in two steps on the lever, then finish by hand.
How far should the corkscrew go into the cork?
Turn it in until one twist is left above the cork. The tip then sits near the bottom of the cork without poking through.
How do you open a wine bottle with a wax top?
Turn the screw straight through the wax into the center of the cork, lever as usual, and brush the crumbs from the rim.
What if the cork crumbles while you use a corkscrew?
Stop pulling, set the screw back into the solid part at a slight angle and lift slowly. Or slide a two-prong opener down either side of it. If it breaks off in the neck, our no-corkscrew guide covers a broken cork.
How do you put a cork back in a wine bottle?
Push the wine-stained end in first, at a slight angle, then press it down. Keep the bottle upright in the fridge.
Do you need a corkscrew for a screw cap or sparkling wine?
No. A screw cap twists off by hand. A sparkling wine cork also comes out by hand, and a corkscrew should never go into one.
