If you’re staring down a bottle of wine this holiday—which you really, really need—and you’ve got nothing to open it with, don’t fret. We’re here to help you master a truly MacGuyver-esque skill.
Now, a lesser person might try to knock the cork into the bottle using a pocketknife, but the truth is that’s a terrible idea.
Not only will it sully the wine in the process, but you’ll also be picking bits of cork out of your teeth from now until 2018.
Here’s a better way: Find a tree stump (seriously), take the neck of the bottle in one hand, and firmly and repeatedly hit the bottom against the wood. The force of the wine striking the cork will create a “water-hammer” effect, ultimately knocking the cork out from the inside.
Your wine will be slightly shaken, but your date will surely be stirred by your aptly-timed show of ingenuity.
