Who doesn't know the dilemma of buying wine on the spur of the moment without a corkscrew or even a pocket knife at hand? Here are some tips on how to uncork a bottle of wine without a bottle opener or corkscrew, depending on what utensils you have at hand.
Screw hook and pin
You have to screw the screw hook into the cork as far as you can, just like a conventional corkscrew. Then you put a pin through the hook. The pin gives you more leverage and is less likely to slip off than your fingers. Turn the pin with the screw hook, pulling away from the bottle until the cork comes free.
Screw and claw hammer
Screw the screw into the cork until only half a centimetre sticks out. Place the claw hammer on the screw head and pull.
Shoe against the wall
Put the bottle upright in a shoe. Now hit the shoe and bottle hard against a wall several times. The pressure of the blows gives the cork a push outwards. The shoe serves as a cushion and prevents the bottle from breaking.
Scissors
Open the scissors and drive a scissor blade deep into the cork. The scissors should be strong enough to withstand some pressure, but of course must not be wider than the cork. Hold the bottle tightly and turn the scissors with the cork until the cork is free.
Ball pump
Insert the needle-shaped end of a ball pump directly between the glass of the bottle neck and the cork as far as it will go. Now pump vigorously. The air pumped into the bottle increases the pressure in the bottle so that the cork pushes itself out.
House key
Insert the key as far as possible into the cork at a 45 degree angle. Then clamp the bottle well between your knees and turn the key until the cork screws free.
