I Have a Question: Why Do Wine Bottles Have a Large Indentation in the Bottom?
I have wondered this many many times so I thought it was about time that I found the answer out.
First things first (I don't know when else it would be), that indentation is called a punt. When used in a sentence, one might say "look at that massive punt" or "that's a nice punt". Traditionally, punts were a result of glass-blowers who pushed up the base to make sure that the bottle could stand upright. It is also thought that the punt added strength to the bottle.
However, bottles nowadays are much stronger and machine-made, so the punt is simply part of wine-bottle tradition. Some say that it helps to collect the sediment in the bottle as wines age. Punts generally no longer add much structural integrity, except in bottles of sparkling wine, which are pressurised - the punt allows for a more even distribution of pressure.
It used to be said that a punt in a bottle was an indicator of a higher quality of wine, but that is no longer the case with modern drinks. It is also said that the punt helps to chill a bottle of wine quicker. I see the logic, it would increase the surface area making it cooler in a faster time. This is a myth as the bottle of red wine sat next to my at this moment in time has a punt yet should be consumed at room temperature.
In conclusion, the punt is simply there out of tradition in most wines except for sparkling wines where is adds to the bottle's strength.
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