Wax tops are one of those things that look amazing… until you actually have to open the bottle. They feel premium, they protect the cork, but let’s be honest — they can also be intimidating.
Here’s a guide to getting past the wax and into the wine — smoothly, cleanly, and without the panic.
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Why wax tops exist
Wax seals are mostly about presentation, but they also protect the cork from humidity and air. Some producers use soft wax that cracks easily, others use harder, thicker wax that can feel like chipping into a candle. Either way, the wax isn’t meant to stop you from enjoying the wine.
Easy ways to deal with wax
1. The wax droplet trick
If there’s just a blob of wax covering the top, grab the tip of your corkscrew and flick it off. Quick, clean, and ready to go.
2. Pretend the wax isn’t there
Most of the time, you can go straight through the wax. Push the corkscrew in as normal, twist, and pull. The cork will come out, taking a neat circle of wax with it.
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Heads up: if the wax is thick and hard, you might struggle to pull the cork cleanly. That’s when you go to the backup option below.
3. Treat it like a capsule
When the wax is too thick, carve around the top of the bottle just above the lip (rather than under the lip, as you would with foil). The goal isn’t to strip the whole neck, just to expose the cork. From there, it’s business as usual.
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Special cases to know about
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Using a Coravin?
Take the wax off first. If the wax is too thick, it can clog the needle and damage the system. -
Chilling white wines?
If you’re putting a wax-sealed bottle in the fridge, take the wax off before chilling. Cold hardens wax, making it far trickier to chip or cut away later. -
Decanting or older corks?
If you’re dealing with a fragile, older cork, be gentle. Wax can make it trickier to pull cleanly. In these cases, removing the wax around the cork first is often safer.
Final sip
Wax tops aren’t as scary as they look. Whether you flick the droplet off, screw straight through, or carve around like a capsule, the aim is the same: expose the cork and pour the wine.
So next time you see a wax top, don’t hesitate. It’s not a barrier — it’s just part of the finesse. And with the right tips up your sleeve, you’ll be opening wax-sealed bottles like a pro.
