Wine Bottles

The modern wine bottle, a bottle capable of being laid on its side, probably dates to the early 1700s in Europe. Prior to this, wine bottles were often flask shaped and stood upright. Some, because of their rounded appearance, are referred to as “onions” or “bladders.” In ancient times wine was stored in standing containers; the Romans were known to have transferred the liquid into smaller glass containers when it was served.

The development of the modern bottle came about with the desire to age and store wine effectively while using as much of the storage area’s space as possible. This resulted in the development of a bottle that could be laid horizontally in row upon row, a system called “binning.” Laying bottles horizontally would not have been possible without a change in their stoppers from glass and attached string to cork. Although cork had been used in ancient times, it was not widely used again until its attributes were rediscovered in the 1700s. Cork was ideal for complementing the new bottle design. It was economical, provided a tight seal, and its ability to breathe allowed for an aging process that enhanced the wine. The capacity of cork to maintain the stability of the wine’s condition while the bottle rested on its side altered the storage and aging process.