How to Use Corkscrews and Wine Openers

How to Use a Wine Opener

Before reading about the types of wine openers, watch our video to learn how to use a wine key the proper way.

Types of Wine Openers

Each type of corkscrew has different advantages. While they all open wine bottles, how they are used to remove a cork varies from type to type. Depending on your wine list, you may want to consider having multiple wine opener types to remove different corks. Below are 8 types of corkscrews and how to use them to help you determine which corkscrew is best for you.

How to Use a Wine Key:

Follow the steps below to open a wine bottle with a wine key.

1. Start by cutting the foil under the lip of the bottle.
2. Remove the foil from the bottle's neck.
3. Place the worm on the center of the cork and twist the corkscrew to insert the worm into the cork.
4. Place the first small boot lever notch on the lip of the bottle and hold it in place.
5. Lever the handle up to pull the cork about halfway out of the bottle.
6. Move the second boot lever notch to the tip of the bottle and pull the cork the rest of the way out of the bottle.
7. To remove the cork from the worm, reverse the corkscrew motion while holding onto the cork.

How to Use a Pocket Corkscrew:

Follow the steps below to open a wine bottle with a pocket corkscrew.

1. Start by cutting the foil under the lip of the bottle.
2. Remove the sheath and slide it into the opening at the base of the corkscrew.
3. Insert the corkscrew into the cork and turn until the worm is inserted into the cork.
4. Once the worm is fully inserted, pull outwards on the handle to remove the cork.
5. To remove the cork from the worm, reverse the corkscrew motion while holding onto the cork.

How to Use a Wing Corkscrew:

Follow the steps below to open a wine bottle with a wing corkscrew.

1. Start by cutting the foil under the lip of the bottle.
2. Cut the foil around the neck of the bottle.
3. Remove the foil and insert the worm into the center of the cork.
4. Twist the corkscrew lever to insert the worm into the cork. Continue twisting until the wings rise all the way up.
5. Once the wings have risen, push down on them simultaneously to pull the cork out of the bottle.
6. To remove the cork from the corkscrew, simply turn the handle counterclockwise.

How to Use an Electric Corkscrew:

Follow the steps below to open a wine bottle with an electric wine opener.

1. Start by cutting the foil under the lip of the bottle.
2. Place the electric corkscrew on top of the wine bottle's neck. Be sure to keep the corkscrew vertical.
3. Turn the corkscrew on and it will automatically insert the worm and remove the cork.
4. Remove the corkscrew from the top of the bottle once the corkscrew has removed the cork.
5. Reverse the corkscrew motion to remove the cork from the worm.

How to Use a Mounted Wine Opener:

Follow the steps below to open a wine bottle with a mounted corkscrew.

1. Insert the neck of the wine bottle into the cradle.
2. Pull down on the handle to insert the corkscrew.
3. Return the handle to the starting position to pull the cork out.
4. Once the bottle is removed from the cradle the cork will fall to the floor.

How to Use a Lever Corkscrew:

Follow the steps below to open a wine bottle with a lever corkscrew.

1. Remove the foil from the bottle's neck.
2. With the lever in the up position, place the corkscrew on top of the wine bottle.
3. Push the lever down to insert the worm into the cork.
4. Once the lever is all the way down, pull the handle back up to remove the cork from the wine bottle.
5. To remove the cork from the worm, lift the corkscrew off the bottle and flip the handle up and down a few times.

How to Use a Wine Cork Extractor:

Follow the steps below to open a wine bottle with a wine cork extractor.

1. Start by cutting the foil under the lip of the bottle.
2. Firmly holding the neck of the bottle, slide the extractor prongs between the cork and the inside of the neck.
3. Shimmy the prongs down using a left-to-right motion while applying light force to the handle.
4. Once fully inserted, twist the extractor and pull upward to remove the cork.
5. To remove the cork from the extractor simply slide it out from between the prongs.

How to Use a Continuous Pull Corkscrew:

Follow the steps below to open a wine bottle with a continuous pull corkscrew.

1. Start by cutting the foil under the lip of the bottle.
2. Place the base of the corkscrew over the top of your wine bottle.
3. Turn the handle clockwise to insert the worm into the cork.
4. As the worm screws into the cork, slide the sides over the neck of the bottle for a better grip.
5. Continue turning the handle clockwise until the cork is fully extracted.
6. To remove the cork from the corkscrew, simply turn the handle counterclockwise.

Parts of a Corkscrew

Despite there being different corkscrew types, corkscrews generally have the same parts, like a corkscrew worm, handle, and bootlever, to remove corks. Additional features, such as foil cutters and bottle cap removers, are also common components found on corkscrews.

• Corkscrew worm: A single metal helix that drives into a wine cork to remove it from the bottle. The helix grabs the cork as it is twisted in so that the cork can be fully removed from the wine bottle.
• Corkscrew handle: Provides the leverage and grip necessary to remove corks from the wine bottle. Handle styles, lengths, and materials vary greatly across the different types of corkscrews.
• Corkscrew bootlever: Provides additional leverage to pull wine corks out of wine bottles. Bootlevers are primarily found on waiter's corkscrews.
• Foil cutter: Generally small, serrated blades or wheels that are used to slice open the protective foil covering at the top of the wine bottle.
• Bottle cap remover: Transforms a corkscrew from simply being able to open wine to popping the tops off beer or soda bottles. Bottle cap removers are available on many styles of corkscrews.