Why Wine Bottles Have a Hole in the Bottom

For those who enjoy wine or have simply seen a bottle of wine before, you may have noticed that the bottom is not flat but rather has a hole, an indentation towards the inside of the bottle.
This is a peculiar feature that every wine or sparkling wine bottle has.
But do you know why wine is bottled and stored in bottles with this hole at the bottom? The reason has led to various interpretations over the years, some of them quite curious.
Let’s explore the real motivation behind this design.

The Origin of the Hole in Wine Bottles

Some say that the deeper the hole, the better the wine.
Others claim that the hole at the bottom is meant for inserting a finger while pouring the wine to avoid hand contact with the bottle and prevent it from heating up.
However, the actual reason is much simpler than you might think.

The presence of a hole in the bottom of all wine and sparkling wine bottles is actually linked to tradition.
In the past, glass bottles were crafted using the technique of blowing hot glass and shaping it into the desired form by placing it on plates or metal molds.
Due to this artisanal process, the bottles were made with this recessed bottom.
Even though today bottles are manufactured through an industrial process that could easily eliminate the hole, similar to other glass bottles like those for water, the tradition of the hole has endured.
This is primarily why wine and sparkling wine bottles continue to feature this distinctive design element.

Additional Purposes of the Hole

While the historical reason for the hole is clear, over the years, various myths and additional uses have been associated with it.
The notion that one can use it to support the bottle by sticking a finger into it is indeed a myth.
Also, the idea of not holding the bottle by hand to prevent warming the beverage is misguided.
While wine can be poured in this manner, it does not prevent heat exchange.
The correct technique is to hold the bottle from the bottom with an open palm and five supporting fingers.

Another reason that has gained attention is that the hole can reduce fermentation pressure, especially in sparkling wines and champagne.
In the past, this may have had some validity, but with modern sturdy glass, it is no longer necessary.
An interesting function of the hole at the bottom of the bottle is to prevent sediments from rising to the surface.
Sediments may accumulate at the bottom of a wine bottle, especially after long storage periods.
Encased by glass at the bottom, sediments tend to remain there even when the bottle is tilted.
This design prevents the sediment from pouring into the glass while serving.
This is why some people prefer to decant wine to avoid sediment transfer.

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