An Optimized Solution for Wine Packaging

An optimized solution for wine packaging – To most wine drinkers, a bottle is merely a glass container. But packaging experts like us understand the true complexity of an optimized package solution. And while standard, 750 mL bottles of wine carry all the same amount of liquid, the differences in size, shape, and color are essential characteristics of the wine’s packaging.

The slight distinctions between bottle types are significant in the wine world, and each bottle shape is custom designed to protect the wine within.

The Burgundy

The Burgundy wine bottle shape dates back to the 19th century, in Burgundy, France, making it the oldest bottle shape. It’s believed that these bottles became a global standard. The Burgundy gently curves up from the base, a simple form that was easy for glassblowers to produce. This bottle commonly houses various red and white wines, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, Nebbiolo, and Pinot Gris.

The Bordeaux

The most common bottle type is known as the Bordeaux, named for its origin: the famous epicenter of wine culture, Bordeaux, France. As a rival to the Burgundy, it quickly needed to distinguish itself. Thus, a new bottle style was born.

The Bordeaux features low, broad shoulders, a long neck, and a dark green glass to protect the wine from the sun’s rays. Some wine experts contend that the bottle’s prominent shoulders, designed to trap the sediment as the aged wine decants. Bordeaux bottles are used for various red wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec.

The Alsace Bottle

This bottle type is recognized for being taller and thinner than the Burgundy and Bordeaux bottles, with gently sloping shoulders. It’s well-known for housing Riesling, a dry and sweet white wine.

Riesling historically was not transported across the English Channel to Britain, and as a result, did not require packaging optimized for bumpy rides across the Channel. Both Burgundy and Bordeaux bottles needed extra protection for these dangerous shipments, leading to shorter and thicker bottles. Instead, Riesling bottles were sleek and thin, to fit more of them on a riverboat traveling down the Rhine, along the border of Germany and France.

Champagne Bottle

Champagne bottles are entirely different. They feature a wider diameter with gradually sloping shoulders and a critical indentation, called a punt, on the bottom. This dent in the bottle adds necessary strength and assists in handling and pouring.

Champagne bottles are also thicker and heavier, to properly contain immense pressure from the carbonation. A 750 mL bottle of champagne holds three times the pressure of an average car tire. To control the force, champagne bottles also have unique, mushroom-shaped corks. These corks are compressed as they are inserted into the bottle’s neck and quickly expand after being popped.

Optimized packaging

Each bottle type is an optimized glass shape based on the shipping methods, protective requirements, and product. Similarly, EPE USA takes the time to fully understand our customer transit process, supply chain, and the product itself; this allows us to deliver optimized packaging solutions, designed perfectly for maximum product protection, shipping efficiency, and sustainability.

We understand the importance of an optimized package. Talk to one of our packaging professionals today about our sustainable solutions.

Sources

https://www.garconwines.com/garcon-wines-blog/why-do-wine-bottles-come-in-different-shapes

http://winerylovers.club/wine-bottle-shapes/

https://www.finedininglovers.com/article/know-your-champagne-bottle-secrets-behind