You are at a dinner with family or friends and all of a sudden they ask you to open the wine. Does that sense of responsibility sound familiar to you?
Anyone can uncork a bottle of wine, but when it comes to doing it with class, that’s another story.
However, nothing that cannot be achieved by following a series of steps, having the necessary tools and respecting some good manners.
To start with, you need to choose the correct corkscrew .
It is true that there are many different models, but the one recommended by professionals is the sommelier corkscrew, also called two-stroke, which you can also find at affordable prices.
Index
Steps to open a bottle of wine with a corkscrew
Step 1: placing the bottle
To proceed with the opening, place the bottle in a vertical position on the table; never hold it with your hands.
Step 2: remove the capsule
Use the blade of the corkscrew to make a cut around the capsule, under the ring of the bottle (the part of glass that sticks out). Then remove the top of the capsule by inserting the blade into this cut.
One tip: avoid tearing the capsule or cutting it on the ring. Otherwise, during service, the wine could drip, collecting any chemical elements present in the capsule.
Step 3: insert the corkscrew
Place the tip of the corkscrew in the center of the cork and vertically, turn it and insert it halfway.
Remember that you always have to turn the corkscrew, not the bottle, which must remain in the same position.
Step 4: removing the cork
Place the first notch of the corkscrew on the neck of the bottle. Then pry to release the plug halfway.
Then continue turning the corkscrew avoiding piercing the cork in its entirety so as not to run the risk of the powder falling into the wine.
Lastly, use the second lever swatch to completely remove the cork. Pull lightly on the end with your hands if necessary.
The wine is now ready to be served, although, and before tasting it , it is advisable to wipe the neck of the bottle to remove any remains that may have remained from the cork or the capsule.
How do I do it in a restaurant in front of a client?
The procedure for opening a bottle in a restaurant in front of a customer hardly differs in terms of the steps to follow. However, this service carries a series of established rules.
- First of all, the opening must always be done by showing the bottle to the customer , with the label in front of him.
- Then follow the usual steps : remove the top of the capsule using the blade of the corkscrew to make an incision under the neck ring, insert it in two steps and, using the levers, gently remove the cap.
- Once the bottle is open, the person who ordered it must taste the wine and wait for their approval to serve the other guests.
- Having poured the wine, turn the bottle, lift it, clean the neck, and serve the next customer.
Ways to uncork a wine bottle without a corkscrew
Like pairs of socks, corkscrews disappear with incredible ease. In that case, all is not lost!
There are different ways to open a bottle of wine without having it.
With a wrench
With a simple wrench and a little dexterity, you can easily remove the cap from the bottle.
To do this, insert the key into the cork diagonally and turn it to slowly uncover the bottle. It is a technique that works best with synthetic corks , but if you are careful you can also use it for cork oak ones.
With a spoon
It is also quite a safe method to use compared to others.
To open the bottle, take a wooden spoon, or something similar, and push the cork down into the wine bottle.
Keep in mind that if the wine bottle is old, the cork can crumble and fall into the wine once depressed.
It’s not very nice, but if you’re with friends and you plan to drink the whole bottle, you don’t have to worry. Just use a strainer and pour the wine bottle into a decanter.
Last conclusions
With or without a corkscrew, opening a bottle of wine represents the peak moment and that is why we must face that work with delicacy, knowing that the result of that moment is the fruit of the work that nature, winemakers and time have contributed to the product.
Respecting the steps to follow for its opening constitutes the last link in its existence.
