Wine Bottles: How Shape, Size, and Design Affect Your Wine Experience

Wine lovers, have you ever wondered why some wine bottles are shaped differently than others? Or why certain wines are bottled in smaller or larger bottles?

The truth is a wine bottle's shape, size, and design play a crucial role in its preservation, aging, decanting process, marketing, and aesthetics.

The Origin and Usage of Different Wine Bottles

Wine storage is of course as old as wine itself, dating back to the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome, where wine was usually stored in large clay pots called amphorae and sealed with various materials, including wax and resin.

The modern shape of a wine bottle, with a narrow neck and rounded body, is believed to have originated in the 17th century in the Burgundy region of France.

Wine bottles are typically made of glass but can also be made of other materials such as plastic or metal. Glass bottles are preferred for wine storage because they are inert, which means they do not affect the taste or quality of the wine. There’s a growing movement in favor of canned wine, on the grounds that it’s more environmentally friendly & can be sold in single servings like beer, but the possible metallic smell & taste is a problem for some people.

The standard size for a wine bottle is 750 milliliters, but there are many other sizes as well, such as the half bottle (375ml), magnum (1.5L) and double magnum (3L), etc. At the larger sizes, bottles are given biblical names like the Methusalah (6L), the Nebuchadnezzar (15L), the Goliath (27L), and the monster 30L Melchizedek.

The size of the bottle often reflects the type of wine and its intended use.

The label on a wine bottle typically includes information about the wine, such as the type of grape, the region it was grown in, the year it was produced, and the winery or producer. The consumer can use this information to determine the quality and taste of the wine.

In addition to wine bottles, wine is also stored and transported in barrels made of wood, such as oak, also called barrel aging. This storage method allows the wine to interact with the wood, adding flavor and complexity to the wine.

Different Regional Wine Bottles

Over time, different regions started to develop their own unique bottle shapes.

Bordeaux: We start with the classic Bordeaux bottle - cylindrical with straight sides and distinctive, high shoulders. For red wines, the glass is usually dark green. For whites, the bottle is a lighter green. For dessert wines, a clear bottle is used.

This is the most common style of bottle, used worldwide for a huge number of wines from Chilean merlot to Argentinian malbec, Australian shiraz, and Californian cabernet sauvignon.

Spanish Rioja wines use similar bottles, with wire netting often covering the bottle. This invention is credited to Marqués de Riscal as a means to prevent their very desirable wines being counterfeited.

The history of this style dates back to the mid-1800s, which saw a general slimming down of bottle shapes. They moved from a bulbous design towards this narrow, taller form. Straightened sides helped the wine to rest on its side in the cellar. The high shoulders assisted in trapping sediment.

Burgundy: Burgundy bottles, used for both red and white wines from Burgundy, have a shallow, sloping shoulder and a wider body.

Many think it predates Bordeaux, being easier to blow. Made from clear or light-green glass, all Burgundy wine uses this style, as do most varietal pinot noirs and chardonnays across the world. Wines with a similar profile to pinot noir also tend to use this type of bottle, for instance Italian nebbiolo and gamay from Beaujolais or the Loire Valley. Other whites use them, too, notably blends from the Rhône and varietal viognier.

Champagne: Champagne bottles are a variation on the Burgundy design used for sparkling wines. They are thicker and stronger than standard wine bottles to withstand carbonation pressure. They also have a punt, or dimple, on the bottom of the bottle, which adds to its strength.

The glass needs to withstand pressures of 5 to 6 atmospheres. It may surprise you to know that the mushroom shaped corks start off cylindrical; the cork discs on the bottom of the cork are more elastic than the granules that make up the upper part of the cork, which enables the cork to be inserted before being held in place with a wire cap.

Alsace: Alsace bottles, used for white wines from Alsace, are tall and slender with a long neck and a narrow body.

In addition to the wines of Alsace, these bottles are used all over the world for the classic varieties of riesling, pinot gris and gewürztraminer. Across the Franco-German border, they are used in the Rhine and Mosel regions. Whereas the Mosel bottles are green, the Rhine bottles are a distinctive brown color.

The reason behind this shape involves ease of transportation. Back in the day, most of these wines were transported for sale on small barges down the Rhine River. Since space was at a premium, a narrow bottle size meant cheaper transport. The gentle journey didn’t require thick glass and the bottles don’t have a dimple on their undersides. This “punt” was common on other bottles besides those of Champagne, since many of them traveled on rough seas to England.

Bocksbeutel: This flattened round flask-shaped bottle is permitted for wines from the German region of Franken and parts of the northern Ortenau region of Baden. Its use is also allowed for certain wines of Portugal (where it is called cantil), and a handful of Greek wines. The name Bocksbeutel is most likely derived from the Low German word for a pouch to carry prayer books (though a dictionary from 1690 translates the word as “ram’s scrotum,” a choice supported by the pendulous shape of the bottle).

Fiasco/Chianti: The Fiasco, literally translated as flask, was once popular in the Chianti region of Tuscany. Dating back to the 14th century, it has a round, bulbous body and bottom and is partially covered with a close-fitting straw basket. The basket is traditionally made from swamp reeds and was designed for a dual purpose of protecting the bottle during shipping and helping the rounded bottles stand up straight.

The fiasco fell out of popularity in the post war era. Consumers increasingly found them rustic and passé leading wineries to switch to the standard square shoulder (Bordeaux) bottle. Additionally, as wages rose, the cost of weaving the baskets began to exceed the cost of making the wine. Even as the tradition waned in Italy, it remained popular in Argentina into the 1980s, having been introduced by Italian immigrants there in the late 19th century.

Clavelin: The clavelin is a peculiar, squat shaped bottle with a capacity of 62 centiliters (the standard wine bottle holds 75 cl). Its use is obligatory for vin jaune in the Jura region of France (a nutty yellow wine from the savagnin grape, a relative of traminer). The 62cl capacity is what remains of a liter of vin jaune following an obligatory six years of cask aging under a “veil” of yeast (the veil, or voile in French, forms a partial seal against oxidation, protecting the wine from spoilage while allowing just enough oxidation to develop vin jaune’s distinctive flavor profile).

Important Aspects of Bottle Shape

The shape of a wine bottle can also be used as a marketing tool. A unique bottle shape can make it stand out on a store shelf and draw attention to the brand.
The shape of the bottle can also affect the pour of the wine. For example, a bottle with a wider opening will pour faster and easier than a bottle with a narrower opening.
The weight of the bottle is another important aspect, as the weight of the bottle can affect how easy it is to handle and pour. Heavier bottles are generally considered to be of higher quality than lighter bottles.
Some modern wine bottles are now being produced using sustainable materials such as bamboo, and biodegradable plastics, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of the bottles.
Some wineries also use unique shaped bottles for their high-end wines. These bottles are often hand-blown and are considered to be works of art.

Overall, the shape of a wine bottle can significantly impact the wine's aging process, the ease of pouring, and the overall aesthetic appeal of the bottle, which can affect the brand's marketing and sales.

Wine Bottles and Wine Storage

The idea that some bottles are designed to be stored on their side while others are designed to be stored upright is related to the aging process of wine. When a bottle of wine is stored on its side, the cork is in contact with the wine, keeping it moist and preventing air from entering the bottle. This slows down the aging process and allows the wine to develop its flavors and aromas over a longer period of time.

On the other hand, when a bottle of wine is stored upright, the cork is not in contact with the wine, which can cause it to dry out and allow air to enter the bottle. This can cause the wine to age more quickly and can result in the wine losing its flavor and aroma over time.

Wines intended to be aged for a longer period, such as red wines, are typically stored on their side to keep the cork moist and fully expanded, slowing down the oxidation process.

On the other hand, wines intended to be consumed young, such as white wines, sparkling wines, or rosé, are often stored upright, as they are not intended to be aged for a long time.

3 Ways Wine Bottle Types Impact Wine Storage

The type of bottle can also affect how well the wine is protected from light. Darker-colored bottles, such as those used for red wine, provide better protection than less opaque bottles used for white wine.
The size of the bottle also plays a role in how the wine ages. Smaller bottles, such as 375ml, are used for wines intended to be consumed young, while larger bottles, such as magnums, are used for wines intended to be aged for a longer period. (More on this below.)
The bottle's design can also affect the decanting process, pouring the wine in a decanter to aerate it before serving. Some bottle designs, like Bordeaux, make pouring the wine without sediment easier, while others make it harder.

Wine Bottles and Light

The type of bottle can also affect how well the wine is protected from light. Light, especially UV light, can have a detrimental effect on wine, as it can cause the wine to become "light-struck", which results in a skunky smell and taste.

Darker-colored bottles used for red wine provide better protection from light than the lighter-colored bottles used for white wine. This is because the darker color absorbs more light, meaning less light can penetrate the bottle and reach the wine inside. This protects the wine from becoming light-struck and preserves the wine's flavors and aromas over time.

The color of the glass bottles is not the only factor affecting light protection. The thickness of the glass also plays a role, as thicker glass provides better protection from light than thinner glass.

Additionally, some wine bottles are coated with an extra layer of dark-tinted glass or even plastic, which provides extra protection from light. This is known as UV-coating.

Wine Aging and the Size of Wine Bottles

The size of the bottle also plays a role in how the wine ages. Smaller bottles, such as 375ml, are often used for wines intended to be consumed young. These wines are typically not aged for a long time and are meant to be consumed within a few years of production. They are usually lighter and less complex wines that don't need much time to mature.

Larger bottles, such as magnums (1.5L), double magnums (3L) and even larger sizes, are used for wines that are intended to be aged for longer. These wines are typically aged for several years or even decades and are meant to be consumed after they have had a chance to mature and develop their flavors and aromas. They are usually full-bodied and complex wines that need time to mature.

This is because the ratio of the wine to the air inside the bottle, known as the air-to-wine ratio, decreases as the bottle size increases. This means the wine will age more slowly in a larger bottle than in a smaller one. The larger the bottle, the more slowly the wine will age, this is because the wine has less contact with the air, and thus less oxidation happens.

How Wine Bottles Impact the Decanting Process

The design of a wine bottle can also affect the decanting process (pouring the wine into another vessel, usually glass, before serving it). Decanting is done to aerate the wine and separate out any sediment that may have formed in the bottle.

Some bottle designs make pouring the wine without sediment easier, while others make it harder. For example, bottles with a narrow opening, such as a Burgundy bottle, are more difficult to pour without sediment because the sloped shoulders mean that wine has to be poured slowly and carefully to avoid disturbing the sediment.

On the other hand, bottles with a wider opening, such as a Bordeaux bottle, are easier to pour without sediment because the high shoulders catch some of it before it can enter the neck of the bottle. This is why Bordeaux bottles are known to some as "easy-pour" bottles.

The earlier mentioned punt, or dimple, on the bottom of the bottle known as the "kick-up" punt, makes it easier to pour the wine without sediment, as it creates a natural crevice that keeps the sediment toward the bottom of the bottle.

Another important aspect to consider when it comes to decanting is the wine's age; older wines will have more sediment buildup than younger wines, which can affect the decanting process. Older wines need to be decanted for longer to allow all the sediment to settle again before pouring.

Some wines, like port or sherry, have a high level of alcohol and sugar, giving them a thick, syrupy consistency, which can be harder to pour without sediment.

Not all wines need to be decanted; some young wines may not have sediment and may not benefit from decanting, while an old wine which has already lost its aroma and flavors probably won’t be saved by decanting.

The process of decanting can also affect the amount of air that the wine is exposed to. Wines intended to be aged for a longer period, such as red wines, are often bottled with a higher fill level to reduce the air-to-wine ratio and slow down the aging process.

Decanted wine is exposed to more air, which speeds up oxidation and releases aromas which were formerly inert. This is why decanting is often done for older wines; they are meant to be consumed soon after decanting, while their flavors and aromas are most fully expressed.

The Difference Between “Easy Pour” and “Hard Pour” Wines

"Easy-pour" and "hard-pour" are terms used to describe the ease of pouring wine from different types of bottles.

"Easy-pour" bottles refer to bottles with high shoulders, such as a Bordeaux bottle. These bottles also have a wider opening that makes it easier to pour the wine without disturbing the sediment or spilling.

"Hard-pour" bottles refer to bottles with a narrower opening, & sloping shoulders, such as a Burgundy bottle. These narrower openings, combined with the straight line from the base of the bottle to the mouth, make it harder to pour the wine without disturbing the sediment.

CONCLUSION

As we’ve discussed… Different types of wine bottles have different shaped openings, such as a Bordeaux bottle with a wider opening or a Burgundy bottle with a narrower opening. These openings affect the ease of pouring the wine without disturbing the sediment and the amount of air the wine is exposed to. A wider opening, such as a Bordeaux bottle, allows more air to enter the bottle and can cause the wine to age more quickly, while a narrower opening, such as a Burgundy bottle, allows less air to enter the bottle and can slow down the aging process.

The size of the bottle also plays a role in how the wine ages. Smaller bottles, such as 375ml, are used for wines that are intended to be consumed young, while larger bottles, such as magnums, are used for wines that are intended to be aged for a longer period of time. This is because the ratio of wine to air decreases as the bottle size increases, which means that the wine will age more slowly in a larger bottle than in a smaller bottle.

The design of the bottle can also affect the decanting process. Some bottle designs make pouring the wine without sediment easier, while others make it harder. Additionally, the amount of air in the bottle is also affected by the amount of liquid in the bottle, a bottle that is filled to the top with wine will have less air in the bottle than a bottle that is only partially filled.

Regarding the color of the bottle, darker-colored bottles, such as those used for red wine, provide better protection from light than lighter-colored bottles, such as those used for white wine. This is because the darker color of the bottle absorbs more light, and less light can penetrate the bottle and reach the wine inside.

It's worth noting that the design and shape of the bottle can also affect the marketing and aesthetics of the wine. The shape and size of the bottle, along with the label and packaging, can contribute to the overall perception of the wine and its brand.

Next time you uncork a bottle of wine, take a moment to appreciate the intricate design and thought that went into the bottle and how it affects the overall wine experience.

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P.S. Why shouldn’t you drink red wine with fish?

In this week’s video, resident expert Julien Miquel breaks down the complexities of pairing wine with fish… from why the texture matters more than you think… to when you can break the red wine rule… and some combos that should be avoided at all cost…

Bottle shapes (continued)

We start with the classic Bordeaux bottle - cylindrical with straight sides and distinctive, high shoulders. For red wines, the glass is usually dark green. For whites, the bottle is a lighter green. And for dessert wines, a clear bottle is used.

A Bordeaux (St Emilion) from one of our 2019 French Collection

This is the most common style of bottle, used worldwide for a huge number of wines from Chilean merlot to Argentinean malbec, Australian shiraz, and Californian cabernet sauvignon.

Spanish Rioja wines use similar bottles, with wire netting often covering the bottle. This invention is credited to the Marques de Riscal, founder of the eponymous winery, as a means to prevent his very desirable wines being counterfeited.

The Burgundy Bottle

The Burgundy bottle is characterized by shallow, sloping shoulders. Many think it predates Bordeaux, being easier to blow. Made from clear or light-green glass, all Burgundy wine uses this style, as do most varietal pinot noirs and chardonnays across the world. Wines with a similar profile to pinot noir also tend to use this type of bottle, for instance Italian nebbiolo and gamay from Beaujolais or the Loire Valley. Other whites use them, too, notably blends from the Rhône and varietal viognier.

A Bordeaux-style bottle (though this wine was actually from the Languedoc) from our 2019 French Collection

The Flute D’Alsace

These tall, slender green bottles are used for the wines of Alsace, and all over the world for the classic varieties of riesling, pinot gris and gewürztraminer. Across the Franco-German border, they are used in the Rhine and Mosel regions. Whereas the Mosel bottles are green, the Rhine bottles are a distinctive brown color.

A green Alsatian-style bottle (a riesling)

Tomas er, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The reason behind this shape involves ease of transportation. Back in the day, most of these wines were transported for sale on small barges down the Rhine River. Since space was at a premium, a narrow bottle size meant cheaper transport. The gentle journey didn’t require thick glass and the bottles don’t have a dimple on their undersides. This dimple was common on other bottles, many of which traveled on rough seas to England. Also known as a “punt,” it added considerably to a bottle’s strength.

Next week, we’ll get into some of the weirder bottle types, such as the famous Italian “fiasco.”

Until then,

The Wine Explorer

Wine Bottles: How Shape, Size, and Design Affect Your Wine Experience

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