Opening a Waxed Wine Bottle: The Simple Technique
Just drive your corkscrew straight through the wax. Simple.
One of the biggest misconceptions about waxed bottles is that the wax must be removed before you can access the cork. In reality, if you’re dealing with a bottle sealed with soft, well-applied wax, you can—and should—simply ignore it. Here’s how:
Grab Your Corkscrew: Use your standard wine key or corkscrew.
Drive Through the Wax: Position the corkscrew on the center of the waxed area and insert it straight through. The soft wax poses little resistance and will not hinder your progress.
Extract the Cork: Once the corkscrew is fully embedded into the cork, gently pull it out. As you do, the wax should pop off in a neat, clean disc along with the cork.
This method not only saves time but also preserves the wax seal’s integrity—maintaining the bottle’s aesthetic charm right up until you pour your first glass.
Next time you uncork a wax-sealed bottle, embrace the ritual. Enjoy the satisfying pop of the wax disc as it parts to reveal your wine—a moment that connects you with centuries of wine-making tradition and elevates your tasting experience.
Cheers to making every uncorking an event!