How to Open a Wine Bottle with a Shoe

Last Updated: March 29, 2019

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]
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Research source} 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]
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Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Picking the Right Kind of Shoe

1
Understand the concept behind this method. Simple physics provides an explanation of how this method works. ^{[3]
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- 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
Choose a shoe to work with. Don't use just any type of shoes, as anything with a soft sole or high heel won't work. ^{[4]
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- 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
Avoid trying this method with athletic shoes or high heels. These shoes won't work well for a number of reasons. ^{[5]
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- 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.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Opening the Wine Bottle

1
Remove the plastic sheathing or foil around the top of the wine bottle. Many wine bottles have a small tab you can pull to remove this. ^{[6]
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- 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
Place the wine bottle in the shoe. There is no need to pad the bottle if the shoe is loose around the bottle. ^{[7]
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- 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
Bang the bottle and sole of the shoe against a brick or stone wall. This requires a good deal of force. ^{[8]
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- 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
Watch to see if the cork begins to slide out. It should do so more with each bang.^{[9]
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- Once the cork is out about halfway, stop banging.
- Remove the wine bottle from the shoe.
- Wiggle the cork the rest of the way out using your hands.

Expert Q&A

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.
Question

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.
Question

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

Expert Answer

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.