You're in Sardinia, you've bought a bottle of Cannonau, and there isn't a corkscrew anywhere in your holiday apartment. What now? The safest answer is to borrow or buy a proper corkscrew. Ask your accommodation host, hotel reception, restaurant or nearby shop. If that isn't possible, you may be able to carefully push a natural cork into the bottle with a clean, sturdy, blunt object—but only if the bottle is still, the cork moves easily and you can avoid injury.
The viral shoe trick, in which people repeatedly strike the base of a wine bottle against a wall while cushioning it with a shoe, is not recommended. Glass can fracture unexpectedly, and broken bottles cause serious cuts. There is no reason to risk an injury just to open a bottle of Sardinian red wine.
First, check whether your Cannonau really has a cork
Not every wine bottle uses a natural cork. Some have screw caps or other closures. Remove the foil or inspect the neck before assuming you need a corkscrew. If you find a screw cap, simply twist it open while holding the bottle securely.
If there is a cork, keep the bottle upright on a stable surface and avoid handling it near children, pets or anyone who could be struck if it slips.
The best option: borrow a corkscrew
In Sardinia, a basic corkscrew is often called a cavatappi or tirabusciò. If you are staying in an apartment, ask the host whether one is in a kitchen drawer. Hotel reception or a nearby restaurant may also be able to help.
A small supermarket, home-goods shop or kitchenware store may sell an inexpensive corkscrew. Availability and opening hours vary, especially on Sundays and outside the summer season.
Useful Italian phrase: “Scusi, avete un cavatappi?” — “Excuse me, do you have a corkscrew?”
Can you push the cork into the bottle?
Sometimes, with caution. For an ordinary still wine with a natural cork, some people use a clean, sturdy, blunt implement with a flat end to press the cork down into the bottle. This is a last-resort option rather than the preferred method.
Only consider it if the bottle is undamaged, upright and firmly supported; your hands are protected from slipping; and the implement is not sharp or likely to break. Apply gentle, controlled pressure, and stop if the cork resists or the bottle feels unstable. Do not use a knife, scissors, screwdriver or other sharp point.
Once the cork is inside, wine may splash, and small cork particles may enter the drink. Pour slowly into a clean glass. If you see any sign of broken glass, discard the contents rather than trying to filter them.
Do not attempt this on sparkling wine or a pressurized bottle. Cannonau is commonly sold as still red wine, but always check the bottle.
What is the shoe trick?
The shoe trick is a widely circulated internet demonstration in which a bottle is placed inside a shoe and repeatedly struck against a hard surface to try to move the cork outward.
It can look clever in a short video, but it relies on impacts to a glass container. A shoe does not guarantee the bottle will remain intact, and a wall or floor may be damaged as well.
We do not recommend trying the shoe trick. Instead, borrow a corkscrew, ask a restaurant for assistance or wait until you can open the bottle safely.
Why the shoe trick is risky
Wine bottles are not designed to be repeatedly hit against walls. Hidden damage, irregular contact or a sudden slip can cause the glass to shatter. Even if the cork begins to move, the bottle can break before it opens.
Risk increases if the bottle is wet, the shoe is unstable or people stand close to the impact area. No particular type of shoe makes this a reliably safe method.
Should you use a knife or screwdriver?
No. Inserting a knife or screwdriver into a cork can cause the tool to slip, cut your hand or damage the bottle. Attempts to pry out the cork may also chip the glass at the rim.
Likewise, avoid drilling, heating the neck, striking the bottle or using improvised pressure devices. These methods create unnecessary risks.
Can you open wine with a lighter or heat?
Don't heat the neck of a wine bottle to push out a cork. Localized heating can stress or fracture glass, and hot glass may not look hot. Heating a closed bottle is particularly unsafe if pressure builds.
A proper corkscrew is inexpensive compared with the consequences of a broken bottle.
What if the cork breaks?
If the top of the cork crumbles while using a corkscrew, stop and assess whether a suitable wine opener can remove the remaining piece without damaging the glass. A two-pronged cork extractor, sometimes called an Ah-So, may help with fragile corks when used correctly.
If you cannot remove the cork safely, ask a restaurant, wine shop or knowledgeable host for help. Do not keep forcing sharp tools into the bottle neck.
Can you drink wine if the cork falls inside?
For a bottle of ordinary still wine, an intact natural cork that falls into the wine does not automatically make it unsafe to drink. However, cork crumbs can be unpleasant, and a damaged bottle or suspected glass fragments are a different matter.
Pour gently, and never consume wine if there is a possibility that glass chips entered the bottle.
Why Cannonau is worth opening properly
Cannonau is one of Sardinia's signature red wines, made from the Cannonau grape, generally associated with the broader Grenache family. Depending on producer and style, it can offer red-fruit, herb, spice and savory notes.
Cannonau di Sardegna DOC covers a range of styles and production areas. Bottle closures, serving recommendations and aging potential vary, so follow the producer's guidance where available.
Taking a few minutes to find the right opener lets you enjoy the wine without broken glass, spilled wine or a damaged cork.
How to serve Cannonau once the bottle is open
Serve at a temperature suited to the particular wine rather than automatically at a very warm room temperature. For many still red Cannonau wines, a slightly cool serving temperature—often around 16–18°C—can work well, though producers may recommend otherwise.
Use a clean glass and allow the aromas to develop. Older or more structured bottles may benefit from time in the glass, but decanting is not automatically necessary.
Cannonau often pairs well with Sardinian dishes such as roast meats, aged pecorino and hearty vegetable preparations, depending on the wine's style.
Where to buy a corkscrew in Sardinia
Try a supermarket, household-goods shop, kitchenware retailer or wine shop in towns such as Alghero, Olbia, Sassari, Nuoro or Cagliari. Smaller villages may have fewer options, and opening hours can vary by season.
Before making a special journey, call the shop or ask your host whether they have one to lend. If you bought the wine from a winery or enoteca, the seller may also be able to advise you.
Useful Italian phrases for wine emergencies
- Avete un cavatappi? — Do you have a corkscrew?
- Potete aprire questa bottiglia? — Can you open this bottle?
- Il tappo si è rotto. — The cork has broken.
- È una bottiglia di Cannonau. — It's a bottle of Cannonau.
- Dove posso comprare un cavatappi? — Where can I buy a corkscrew?
- Grazie mille! — Thank you very much!
Frequently asked questions
How do you open Cannonau without a corkscrew?
The safest option is to borrow or buy a corkscrew. For a still wine with a natural cork, carefully pushing the cork inward with a suitable clean, blunt implement may sometimes work, but stop if there is resistance or any risk of slipping.
Does the shoe trick really work?
Videos show it being attempted, but striking a glass bottle against a hard surface can shatter the bottle. We do not recommend it.
Can you open Cannonau with a shoe?
It is not a safe method. Find a proper corkscrew instead.
Can I push the cork into the wine?
Sometimes for still wine, using careful controlled pressure with a clean blunt implement. Avoid sharp tools, and never attempt it on pressurized bottles.
What if pieces of cork fall into the wine?
Cork fragments may be unpleasant but are not the same as glass. If the bottle or rim is chipped, discard the wine because glass fragments may be present.
Can I use a knife?
No. Sharp tools can slip and cause serious cuts.
Can I heat the bottle neck?
No. Heating glass can cause thermal stress and breakage.
Is Cannonau always sealed with cork?
No. Check the actual bottle closure before trying to open it.
What is corkscrew in Italian?
Cavatappi is the most useful word; tirabusciò is another expression.
What should I do if I am staying in a holiday apartment?
Ask the host or reception first. A kitchen drawer, nearby restaurant or local shop may provide an easy solution.
The bottom line
If you want to open Sardinian Cannonau without a corkscrew, skip the viral shoe trick. Borrow a cavatappi, buy an inexpensive one or ask someone with the proper tool to help. If you choose a last-resort method for a still wine, keep the bottle stable and avoid sharp tools, impacts and heat. The best way to enjoy Cannonau is with the wine—and the bottle—intact.
