Remove the foil or capsule from the top of the bottle
Center the corkscrew tip on the middle of the cork
Twist the corkscrew into the cork until only one turn remains visible
Place the lever or fulcrum of the corkscrew on the bottle lip if using a waiter’s corkscrew
Pull the handle upward slowly to lift the cork partway out
Reposition the lever if needed and continue pulling until the cork is nearly out
Remove the cork by hand if it is still attached
Wipe the bottle neck before pouring