In today’s blog, we’re diving into the fascinating traditions behind wine bottles.
Before glass bottles came along, people stored wine in clay pots like Amphorae and Qvevri.
Qvevri are big clay pots covered in beeswax. Georgians have been using them since around 8000 BC.
Amphorae are shaped like pitchers and have two handles. They were also used for storing wine and to store other liquids.
Glass bottles became necessary way back in ancient times. The Romans, who conquered other cultures, needed a good way to carry wine around.
The ancient Egyptians knew a bit about making glass. They had some glass containers dating back to around 2000 BC found near the Nile.
The Romans got even better at making glass bottles. They used them to store wine because glass kept it fresh better than other stuff. They were also the first to seal bottles with natural corks, which helped keep the wine fresh.
Now, let’s talk about different shapes of wine bottles:
- Bordeaux Bottles: The Bordeaux bottle shape, which became popular in the 17th century, was characterized by high shoulders and a sloping neck. However, advancements in technology have led to the modern standardized form of the bottle that we see today.
- Burgundy Bottles: These have sloping shoulders and are good for both red and white wines. Classic ones are green and see-through, especially for sweet wines.
- Tall Flute-Type Bottles: These look like stretched-out Burgundy bottles and first came from Germany. They’re used a lot for German wines and also for Rieslings and sweet wines from other places.
- Champagne and Sparkling Wine Bottles: The concave bottom of this shape distributes pressure more effectively, with the main load directed towards the walls. While the classic champagne bottle is typically green, transparent options are also available. However, prolonged exposure to sunlight should be avoided to maintain the wine’s flavor integrity, prompting the use of boxes or paper for storage. Green and brown bottles offer protection against UV rays. The general guideline is: the darker the glass, the better the wine preservation.
The way wine bottles look has changed over time because of new technology and what people like. Nowadays, there are all kinds of shapes and sizes for bottles, so winemakers can pick ones that match their style.
Georgian Glass Market is here to assist you in selecting and supplying the highest quality bottles for your wines.
