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There are many ways to open a bottle of wine: push the cork inside with a fork handle or finely crumble it, take it out in parts, you can still famously chop off the neck with a sharp knife (in Hussar style). However, these drastic measures will not be needed if at least the most primitive “bottle screw” is at hand. Next, we will take a closer look at how to open wine with a corkscrew, and how different models of this device differ from each other.
History of creation
The appearance of the corkscrew is directly related to the development of the tradition of cork stoppering bottles. For many centuries, wine was stored in barrels and served immediately in jugs. The necks of the vessels were plugged with rags or smeared with clay and resin. The custom of using cork tree bark was established only in the XNUMXth century, along with the development of the wine trade, when large volumes of wine had to be transported so that the drink did not deteriorate along the way.
The first corkscrew was patented in 1795 by the English priest Samuel Hanshall, but the “steel worm” was used as early as the XNUMXth century. This elementary design was created in the image of a pyzhovka – a tool for extracting a projectile from the muzzle of an unfired gunpowder weapon.
General tips:
- Before removing the cork, cut off the foil from the neck of the bottle. Sommelier knives have a special blade for this, an ordinary kitchen knife, scissors or even a nail file will also work.
- Check how sharp the screw is. The corkscrew should easily penetrate the cork, and not crumble or tear the material. It is best if the working part of the corkscrew is made of stainless steel and well polished – then less physical effort is required, the blade will easily slide in the material and the cork will easily come out of the neck.
- Always set the point perpendicular to the surface: if the spiral enters crookedly, it will only spoil the cork, but will not pull it out.
- Finally, don’t push the corkscrew too hard or the bottle will burst.
Classic corkscrew (“steel worm”)
The simplest design is the “screw with a handle”. Disadvantages – requires remarkable dexterity, strength and skill. Advantages – it is almost impossible to break, it is elementary easy to operate, inexpensive.
Instructions
1. Screw the corkscrew into the center of the cork.
Do not overdo it! You can’t turn the corkscrew “all the way”, leave one turn, otherwise the cork will begin to crumble, ruining the taste of the wine.
2. With one hand, firmly fix the bottle, with the other, carefully pull out the cork, gently loosening and twisting.
Corkscrew-lever (“Charles de Gaulle” or “Butterfly”)
When the levers of the product are raised vertically, the model resembles a little man with raised arms – a favorite gesture of the French general. Hence the funny nickname “Charles de Gaulle”. Advantages – very easy to use, no effort is required to remove the cork. The disadvantage is that the butterfly corkscrew does not always cope with deep-set corks.
bottle opening technique
1. Place the tip of the blade in the center of the cork. The “handles” of the corkscrew should be lowered along the neck.
2. Hold the structure with one hand, screw the center handle with the other. The side arms of the corkscrew will begin to rise.
3. When the levers reach the “vertical up” position, place the bottle on a level surface, then slowly lower the levers with both hands at once. The cork will easily come out of the neck.
Sommelier knife
A handy collapsible corkscrew, invented by French sommeliers – restaurant employees responsible for the supply and storage of wines in the establishment, as well as the presentation of drinks to customers. In addition to the steel screw, the device is equipped with a foil stripping blade and two steps that make it easier to open the bottle.
Instructions
1. Cut off the foil cap with a blade, exposing the cork: cut the capsule with sharp movements from both sides at the very top of the neck, just under the ledge.
2. Screw the corkscrew into the center of the cork, leaving one “tier” on the surface.
3. Rest against the neck of the bottle with the first step and, using the design as a lever, pull out the cork a little, which will not come out completely.
4. Change the position of the handle to the second step and pull again. It is considered good manners at the very end to remove the cork with your hands, after wrapping it with a clean towel.
screw corkscrew
A mechanical device that simplifies the opening of the bottle as much as possible. The best option for girls to open wine, as it requires minimal effort.
Technique: Attach the spiral to the cork and screw in the screw until the entire cork is threaded onto the corkscrew.
Pneumatic corkscrew (pump)
The original design, vaguely reminiscent of a syringe. In Russia, it is still rare.
Instructions: stick the needle into the center of the cork, depending on the design, slightly press the lever or start pumping air through the piston by pumping like in a hand bicycle pump. Air will enter the bottle, the pressure will increase, and the cork will come out by itself.
Carefully! Thin-walled bottles can burst!
Gypsy Corkscrew (“Butler’s Friend”)
Elegant tongs that allow you to carefully remove even the old and fragile cork. The model was called “gypsy” because it does not damage the cork, and dishonest businessmen (for example, gypsies) can replace good wine in an expensive bottle with frank swill, then cork it with the original cork, and visually no one will notice the substitution.
Hence the nickname “butler’s friend”. In England, it was believed that representatives of this profession often drank good wine from the stocks of their masters, and this design of the corkscrew makes it easy to hide the traces of a crime.
Technique: insert tongs along the edges of the cork and gently lower it into the bottle to its full length, then remove the cork by twisting the handle of the corkscrew.
Electric corkscrew
Opening a bottle in two clicks. All that is required is to charge the battery in time.
Instructions for an electric corkscrew are presented in the video.
