Opening a bottle of wine can be a fascinating ritual, the beginning of a sensory experience that culminates in tasting a drink that has been carefully crafted.
If you are not familiar with the process, it may be a little intimidating, especially if you are faced with a special bottle of wine, due to its vintage or because it is a Gran Reserva. Here we will guide you through a series of steps to open a bottle of wine like a true expert.
Before you begin, it’s important to make sure you have everything you need on hand. You will need a good quality corkscrew, preferably a two-stroke or lever type corkscrew, which makes it easy to remove the cork without damaging it. Also, have a clean cloth handy to wipe any debris from the mouth of the bottle.
Most wine bottles have a metal or plastic capsule that covers the top of the cork. Use a capsule cutter or a small sharp knife to cut the capsule just below the edge of the bottle neck. Make a clean cut and remove the top of the capsule, exposing the cork and neck of the bottle.
Hold the bottle firmly with one hand and place the corkscrew in the center of the cork. Apply slight downward pressure while turning the corkscrew clockwise, not the bottle, but the corkscrew. It is important to keep the corkscrew straight to prevent the cork from breaking and to never go through the cork, so that no residue falls on the wine.
Once the corkscrew is fully inserted into the cork, use the corkscrew mechanism to remove it from the bottle. If you are using a two-stroke corkscrew, raise the arm of the corkscrew until the cork is partially out of the bottle, then lower the arm to completely release the cork. If you are using a lever corkscrew, simply lift the lever to remove the cork in one smooth motion.
Once you have removed the cork, use the clean cloth to wipe away any residue that may be left in the mouth of the bottle. This will help ensure that there are no unwanted particles in your wine when you serve it.
All you have to do is try it, uncorking any of the excellent Red Wines from Bodegas Federico in Pesquera de Duero, and enjoy every sip of your favorite wine. Health!
