Wine bottles: the properties of glass

For wine producers, one of the key aspects to consider is how to present it to consumers. As good and quality as it may be, a wine must also be correctly presented on the market if it is to be successful in terms of sales.

It is crucial, in fact, to be able to diversify one's product from what is offered by the competition so as to attract the attention of consumers. But how to do this? Much depends on the bottle. 
Choosing the right wine bottle plays a crucial role in this process. The bottle, in fact, is not just a container, but an element that affects the image of the product and its correct storage. 

So many companies decide to go for the wine bottle glass because it is a material that has all the characteristics needed to preserve the product and to look elegant once displayed on the shelves. 

Properties of glass 

Glass is a material that has several characteristics that make it perfect to store wine, such as: 

• Elegance: glass is synonymous with elegance and refinement, especially in sectors such as wine. Indeed, bottles made of this material can have different shapes and colours, adapting to different products; 
• Inertness: glass is an inert material, which means that it does not react chemically with the wine it contains, preserving its organoleptic characteristics intact. This neutrality is one of the reasons why it is so valued in wine conservation, as it does not alter the taste or aroma of the product; 
• Resistance: glass is an extremely resistant material, providing safe protection for the wine during transport and storage. Thanks to its robustness, glass bottles can withstand shocks and pressure without compromising the integrity of the contents, making it ideal for large-scale distribution; 
• Hermeticity: glass is also hermetic. Thanks to the use of corks, a properly sealed glass bottle creates an impenetrable barrier to air, thus preventing oxidation of the contents. Once sealed, the wine can be stored for decades without alteration. 

From wooden barrels to glass 

Generally when one thinks of wine, be it red or white, one immediately thinks of the classic glass bottle. However, this material has not always been used. In fact, the history of wine bottles began in 4000 BC, but it was not until the 17th century that glass began to be used to contain it. 

Previously, wooden barrels were used, but these allowed oxygen to pass through, causing the wine to oxidise and lose its organoleptic qualities. 

The need for a more suitable material to protect the properties of this important beverage led to the use of glass. The invention of the coal furnace around 1600 made it possible to produce thicker and stronger glass, allowing wine to be transported in glass bottles all over the world. 

Glass bottles were thus adopted for wine consumption and still represent the main method of storage and transport today.