Mother Jones

Once upon a time a father sat his son on his lap and said, “Son, one day you will have a bottle of wine, but you will not have a corkscrew to open it with. You will look around for some sort of apparatus with which to free the wine from the bottle.”

“Daddy, should I use a knife to push the cork into the bottle?”

“Ha. No. That’s a horrible idea. Use your shoe!”

And so began the legend of the wine-bottle-shoe-trick. But many were dubious. Was this just a story? An old wives’ tale told by frat boys with an urge?

It turns out: No! You can really open a wine bottle with your shoe*.

How do we know? Smart, fearless Mother Jones reporter Tim McDonnell made it happen (watch the video above).

Here’s how:

1. You need a solid-soled shoe. No work-out soft-soled BS.
2. Find a really sturdy wall. We’re talking brick.
3. Have courage and strength.
4. The shoe must be perpendicular to the wall.
5. Have faith, and take several determined, precise swings.
6. The cork should slowly emerge over the course of several swings.
7. Keep your face and other vulnerable bits away from the impact zone (SCIENCE).
8. The force of the liquid inside the bottle will force the cork out.
9. Drink!!!

*Mother Jones does not endorse that you try this at home in any way. Please drink in moderation. And don’t drive.

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How to Open a Wine Bottle With Your Shoe