You don’t get second chances to make that first big impression. It isn’t just for people—it’s also true for your wine packaging. So, if you’re looking to craft unforgettable experiences at your winery, start with understanding the world of choices you have with the different bottle shapes and sizes.
Wine Bottle Shapes
Wine bottles come in various shapes, mostly made of glass since glass protects the quality of wine, is sustainable, is aesthetically pleasing, and adds to the overall experience. Besides, over the years, a few shapes have become a standard. Here are some common ones:
Claret
Claret A.K.A. Bordeaux is one of the most commonly found shapes worldwide. With distinctive straight sides, high dramatic shoulders, and a broader base, these bottles are best for Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. It is also thought the heavier the bottle, the more luxurious the wine!
Burgundy
This bottle shape flaunts graceful and gently sloping shoulders. It is perfect for wines that are elegant and nuanced. So, it remains a classic vessel for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines.
Hock
Hock wine bottles are commonly used for sweet wines and Rieslings. These are pretty delicate and feature a slender profile. Hock bottles also go by a few other names, including Alsace, Mosel, and Rhone.
Specialty
Specialty wine bottles have a slender and tall profile. These are commonly associated with iced wine, sparkling wine, and specialty dessert wines.
Wine Bottle Sizes
Wine is bottled in differently sized vessels. These have varying volumes, and the names often derive from biblical kings and other historical figures.
Piccolo or Split
This is a tiny, usually plastic, bottle containing around 6.3 oz. (187.5 ml) of contents. A Piccolo is ideal for single servings of sweet wine or champagne.
Demi or Half
Demi or half-bottle can hold around 12.7 oz. (375 ml) of wine and has half the contents of a Standard bottle.
Jennie
This size can hold around 16.9 oz. (500 ml) of contents. Jennie or half-liter is an uncommon bottle but most suitable for sweet, dessert-styled wines.
Standard
The old faithful, 25.5 oz. (750 ml) bottle suits all types of wines. In fact, the entire economy’s production, distribution, and import depend on this size.
Liter
Delivering more bang for the buck, this 33.8 oz. (1 L) wine bottle has grown in popularity over time. It is a typical size for value wines.
Magnum
Here is a magnified bottle size at 50.7 oz. (1.5 L), one that is better on display than for drinking. It is double the capacity of the Standard size.
Larger Sizes
Yes, there are even larger sizes than Magnum. These start from 3 L (called Jeroboam or Double Magnum) and go all the way up to 20 L (called Solomon) and more.
Wine Bottle Packaging
Wine bottles require distinctive packaging to preserve their unique qualities and maintain a safety barrier against external elements. From totes to cartons and bag-in-box containers, any type of bottle can be packaged appropriately. While you produce the best quality wine, we handle its packaging. At Custom Wine Packaging, we’re an industry-leading packaging business and can accommodate the needs of any Vineyard or Winery and bottle shapes and sizes. Reach out to us, and we’ll help you level up your branding efforts.
