Wine Bottles

Occassionally, the label on the bottle may not survive the life of the bottle and understanding the shape and color of the bottle can help you determine what to expect inside the bottle.

Shape

Bordeaux - the Bordeaux bottle is a high shouldered bottle, this bottle is used by most wine makers.  The Bordeaux bottle is mostly used for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chianti and Rioja's.

Burgundy - the Burgundy bottle is a sloped shouldered bottle.  The Burgundy bottle is mostly used for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Alsace or Hoch - the Alsace bottle is a sloped shouldered and slender bottle.  The Alsace is used for a selection of German and dessert wines. (picture coming soon)

Color

Dark Green - dry red wines

Light Green - dry white wines

Brown and Amber - red and white wines

Clear - sweet and white wines

Size

Split - 187.5 milliliters, 6.3 fluid ounces, 1/4 bottle

Half - 375 milliliters, 12.7 fluid ounces, 1/2 bottle

Bottle - 750 milliliters, 25.4 fluid ounces, standard size bottle

Magnum - 1.5 liters, 50.7 fluid ounces, 2 bottles

Punts

The punt, also known as the kick up, is the dimple at the bottom of the wine bottle.  There are many myths about the punt being a quality bottle of wine, it makes the bottle look bigger and it it there to add stability for the pourer's thumb.  The punt is a remnant of the historical methods used to make a bottle.

Recycling

You can purchase new bottles but, consider buying recycled bottles that in many cases go in the trash.  My bottle are pre-washed and label free, you still need to sterilize the bottle before filling with wine.

Glass is a large percentage of the residential and industrial waste.  Glass recycling uses less energy than making new glass and reduces the carbon footprint.  Every ton of glass recycled saves 315 kilograms of carbon dioxide.

The bottles I sell are de-labeled and residue free.
I recommend washing then again in the dishwasher and then sterilizing before bottling. 

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