If we look for a moment at the shape of wine bottles, we can realize that they are all different. But before even understanding why the shape of bottles varies, let's try to find out what the different parts of a wine bottle are.
The anatomy of wine bottles
Although the shape of the bottles is not always the same, there are some similarities, particularly in the different parts that make them up.
- The ring : this corresponds to the end of the bottle. It is associated with the closure system (cork stopper, capsule, etc.);
- The stopper : made of plastic, cork or glass, it seals the bottle;
- The cap , or overcorking capsule: this part protects both the cork and the neck of the bottle;
- The neck or neck : this corresponds to the upper part of the bottle, below the ring;
- The shoulder : this part serves as a junction between the neck and the body of the bottle;
- The body , or the barrel: this corresponds to the widest part of the bottle;
- The bottom , the bottom or the jable : this part corresponds to the bottom of the bottle. It is flat, allowing the bottle to be held vertically;
- The puncture : also called the bottom of the bottle, it is this recess located under the bottle, in which the sommelier sticks his thumb to hold the bottle during service. The pitting of champagne bottles and sparkling wines is more pronounced, this allows them to be stored on the tip of the pitting, and therefore to obtain the settlement of the deposit at the level of the neck of the bottle rather than at the bottom or on the paunch.
Each wine region has its own wine bottle shape
Let's go back to the different shapes that wine bottles can take. With a long, thin neck, square shoulders, or even a wide body, the profile of a bottle can give you valuable information about the origin of the wine.
- The Alsatian bottle : elegant and fine, the Alsatian bottle, or Alsatian flute, is one of the tallest bottles of wine;
- The Bordeaux bottle , or Frontignan: this bottle of Bordeaux wine is cylinder-shaped, with square shoulders and a straight barrel;
- The Burgundian bottle : tall, with a wide body, a thin neck and soft shoulders, the Burgundian bottle is very elegant;
- The Loire bottle : the Val de Loire bottle is very similar to the Burgundian bottle, but with a thinner body;
- The Provençal bottle : in Provence, there are two shapes of bottles. The first, specific to the Côtes de Provence appellation, is a corset flute with a narrow base. The second is the same as for Bordeaux wine;
- The Rhône bottle : this bottle has the particularity of bearing the words “Côtes du Rhône” engraved on its shoulders;
- Le clavelin du Jura : with a capacity of 62 cl, this bottle is only used for Jura yellow wine.
Good to know: nothing regulates the shape of the bottles. Thus, a winemaker can choose any shape of container for bottling his wine.
Focus on metal capsules
The capsule of a wine bottle gives valuable information about the wine it contains.
- Green capsules : still wines and sparkling wines in AOC;
- Blue capsules : local wines or table wines in IGP;
- Orange capsules : natural sweet wines and liqueur wines;
- Red capsules : wines similar to green and blue capsules, excluding AOC sweet wines and AOC sparkling wines.
The anatomy of the wine bottle is fascinating, with its different parts that help preserve the quality of appellation wines. From special, carefully molded bottles to non-standard bottles, each element plays a crucial role in the quality control and preservation of wine.
Cylindrical-shaped bottles, such as Bordeaux bottles, provide uniform support and maximum protection for premium wines. From bottle caps to screw caps, every detail is carefully thought out to guarantee the freshness and integrity of sparkling and still wines, testifying to the excellence of French terroirs.
Much more than just an elegant container, the wine bottle says a lot about the wine region or the type of wine it contains. The characteristics of the wine bottles then allow you to choose a good bottle at a glance.
