How to Open a Wine Bottle with a Shoe

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Imagine you are hosting a party and are ready to serve some wine to your guests. Yet, you realize you have lost or forgotten your corkscrew. There is one way that is recommended by Mirabeau wines for getting the cork out of your bottle of wine: using a shoe. [1] This method can take a bit of brains and a bit of brawn, but in the end should allow you to open up your wine and enjoy it. [2]

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Picking the Right Kind of Shoe

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  1. Simple physics provides an explanation of how this method works. [3]
    • For this method, you put the bottle of wine into the shoe and bang the shoe sole on a wall.
    • The force from the banging will help to loosen the cork and it will start to come out.
    • The force travels through the liquid and transfers to the cork.
    • Since the liquid isn't free flowing inside the wine bottle, it acts like a solid and allows the force to transmit to the cork.
  2. Don't use just any type of shoes, as anything with a soft sole or high heel won't work. [4]
    • The shoes you choose should have solid, hard soles.
    • The opening in the shoe should fit a wine bottle nicely.
    • Make sure the shoes are a good sturdy pair. Shoes that are old and flimsy won't allow the force from the banging to transmit to the wine bottle well.
    • Men's dress shoes tend to work very well for this method.
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  3. These shoes won't work well for a number of reasons. [5]
    • Athletic shoes have cushioned rubber soles that absorb force.
    • The soles of athletic shoes are often too padded to transmit force into the wine bottle.
    • High heels don't have enough surface area on the sole to transmit enough force. They may also snap when you bang the heel against the wall.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Opening the Wine Bottle

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  1. Many wine bottles have a small tab you can pull to remove this. [6]
    • If you leave the foil or plastic top on the bottle, then the cork won't be able to slide out.
    • It's not necessary to peel all of it off.
    • Just make sure the top of the cork is fully exposed and that the wine bottle covering isn't impeding it.
  2. There is no need to pad the bottle if the shoe is loose around the bottle. [7]
    • Remember, you want to use shoes with a hard sole and sturdy sides.
    • Don't use tennis or athletic shoes.
    • Men's dress shoes are recommended.
  3. This requires a good deal of force. [8]
    • Hold the neck of the wine bottle in your left hand. Grasp it firmly.
    • Don't put your thumb, fingers, or palms over the cork.
    • Hold the toe end of the shoe in your right hand.
    • Bang the heel end of the shoe against the wall, holding the wine bottle in firmly.
    • Bang the shoe against the wall with a lot of force.
  4. It should do so more with each bang. [9]
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Join the Discussion...

Foolproof way to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew?
WikiCloudLeaper633
20
WikiCloudLeaper633
Long story short, my partner and I have a really nice bottle of wine (it was a gift we’ve been saving for a special occasion). We’re trying t... Read More
Murphy Perng
Certified Wine Consultant
Just push the cork through and filter out the sediment with a coffee filter. It'll change the texture of the wine a little bit, but it's very eas... Read More
WikiSalamanderFlyer757
WikiSalamanderFlyer757
If you have a drill or a screwdriver and a long screw, you can drive the screw through the center of the cork. Just make sure that you leave a li... Read More
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  • Question
    What is a common mistake people make when trying to open a bottle of wine with a Sommelier knife?
    Murphy Perng
    Certified Wine Consultant
    Murphy Perng is a Wine Consultant and the Founder and Host of Matter of Wine, a business that produces educational wine events, including team-building experiences, networking events, and private parties. Based in Los Angeles, California, Murphy has served as a Wine Educator for clients such as Google, Buzzfeed, Tiktok, Snapchat, and Equinox and been featured on National Geographic and The Somm Journal. Murphy possesses her WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Level 3 Advanced Certification.
    Murphy Perng
    Certified Wine Consultant
    Expert Answer
    A common mistake people make when trying to open a bottle of wine with a Sommelier knife is they tend to turn the bottle instead of the Sommelier knife.
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    Why is it necessary to have a good attitude to be a Sommelier?
    Murphy Perng
    Certified Wine Consultant
    Murphy Perng is a Wine Consultant and the Founder and Host of Matter of Wine, a business that produces educational wine events, including team-building experiences, networking events, and private parties. Based in Los Angeles, California, Murphy has served as a Wine Educator for clients such as Google, Buzzfeed, Tiktok, Snapchat, and Equinox and been featured on National Geographic and The Somm Journal. Murphy possesses her WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Level 3 Advanced Certification.
    Murphy Perng
    Certified Wine Consultant
    Expert Answer
    A Sommelier has to meet plenty of people and provide a positive experience. They have to help people discover new wines that can be fun. They should have a good attitude and share their knowledge with others.
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    What is the ideal temperature to store wines?
    Murphy Perng
    Certified Wine Consultant
    Murphy Perng is a Wine Consultant and the Founder and Host of Matter of Wine, a business that produces educational wine events, including team-building experiences, networking events, and private parties. Based in Los Angeles, California, Murphy has served as a Wine Educator for clients such as Google, Buzzfeed, Tiktok, Snapchat, and Equinox and been featured on National Geographic and The Somm Journal. Murphy possesses her WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Level 3 Advanced Certification.
    Murphy Perng
    Certified Wine Consultant
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    All wines need a cold environment. The ideal temperature to store wines is between 43 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit. It may vary for different wines, such as whites, reds, or fortified wines. It is best to invest in a wine cooler to keep them at a consistent temperature.
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      Tips

      • Remember to drink wine in moderation. Some studies suggest a glass of wine a few times a week can be good for your health, but drinking to excess can negatively affect your health.
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      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • You can also open a wine bottle with a sharp knife if you don't have a shoe to use or don't have the right type of shoe. I always carry a Swiss army knife with me and it has helped me open wine bottles more than once!
      • I've tried this with a ballet flat and I've tried it with my husband's dress shoes and it works way better with dress shoes, 100%.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1wROm-OF9w
      2. ↑ http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/03/25/283927259/can-you-open-wine-with-shoe-open-yes-but-it-ain-t-pretty
      3. ↑ http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/03/25/283927259/can-you-open-wine-with-shoe-open-yes-but-it-ain-t-pretty
      4. ↑ http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/03/25/283927259/can-you-open-wine-with-shoe-open-yes-but-it-ain-t-pretty
      5. ↑ http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/03/25/283927259/can-you-open-wine-with-shoe-open-yes-but-it-ain-t-pretty
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1wROm-OF9w
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1wROm-OF9w
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1wROm-OF9w
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1wROm-OF9w

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you’ve forgotten to bring a corkscrew to open your wine, place the bottle in a shoe with a hard sole and strong sides, such as a man’s dress shoe. Then, take hold of the neck of the bottle in your left hand, hold the toe of the shoe in your right hand, and bang the shoe’s heel against a wall with a lot of force. As you bang the shoe, keep an eye on the cork and stop banging when it’s about halfway out. Finish by removing the bottle from the shoe and wiggling the cork the rest of the way out with your hand. Keep reading the article to learn which types of shoes you shouldn't use to open wine bottles!

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