Of wine bottles, corks and openers...

WINE Q’s & A’s

Q:  What are the different types of wine bottles?

A:   Standard bottle types are Bordeaux (typically dark green, high shoulder) and Burgundy (typically medium green or gold, sloped shoulder.  Some wineries offer specialty bottles which are often very attractive and interesting.  

      Wine bottle bottoms are either flat or punted.  Originally, the depth of the punt of the bottle bottom was intended to collect the natural sediment, so the wine could be decanted with the sediment easily left behind.  As an example, a rich red wine would have the deepest punt because it would be expected to collect the greatest amount of sediment on the bottom. 

      Standard bottle sizes are 750ml, and 375ml, for dessert style wines. Pleasant Valley Winery is the only winery in Arizona producing 147ml single-serving bottles.

Q:  I see that a number of prominent wineries are using other than real corks.  Why? 

A:  There are three types of wine closures; real cork, synthetic, and screw cap. 

      Traditionally genuine corks were used to seal wine bottles.  This has changed in part due to the shortage and increased price of real cork.  Synthetic corks have an advantage over genuine corks because with them, there is no longer a need to store wine bottles on their sides in order to keep the cork wet.  The disadvantage is that a synthetic cork can be difficult to reinsert into a partially used bottle.  They either have to be carved down, or replaced with a wine bottle closure. 

      Screw caps are fast coming onto the wine marketplace.  Many major wineries are now using screw caps, believing that these do a better job of keeping wine bottles air tight, thereby giving their products longer shelf life..

Q:  What is the best type of wine opener?

A:  There are a number of different designs for tools used to uncork the wine.  The best examples of manual openers are the worm wine opener, wings wine opener, lever wine opener, and pronged wine opener.  We like a solid brass wings wine opener; when you screw into the cork, the wings go up, and then you pull down on both sides to lift out the cork.  The style of tool that works best for you is naturally a matter of personal choice.

Always Remember, Wine is Fun

We would love to hear from you.  Please submit your questions or comments to:  PVWinery@wildblue.net