Bottle Shape and Colour

Glen · Post by **Glen** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 6:56 pm

After opening a bottle of St Hallett Blackwell Barossa Shiraz last night, it got me to thinking about this light hearted topic to see what people's preferences are when it comes to bottle shape (and colour if applicable).

I particularly like the tapered shorter bottle of this wine, also used by Rockies Basket Press in some vintages (they seem to keep us on our toes when it comes to what bottle they will use). I also like the colour of the Rockies brown bottle too.

My favourite bubbly bottle is the Mount Adam, very elegant.

This topic could also be used to state which bottle shapes people dislike most.

I personally would like to see much more quality wine bottled in 375ml, as this would make a lunchtime drop when you are on the road dining alone etc much more convenient. I particularly got into the 375ml in France a few years ago, as it enabled my partner and I to try two different wines each sitting.

As mentioned before, a light hearted topic which could provide some good industry feedback.

KevinT · Post by **KevinT** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 7:07 pm

Interesting topic......

I have always found the taller / slimmer bottles being used for reds recently to be slightly annoying. They don't seem to fit onto wine racks or most of my storage boxes too well. I do like the "wide shoulders" that Rockford used for its recent basket press and cab sauv. It just says to me that its a serious, solid wine with a sense of rustic old world. I think Mr Riggs Shiraz also uses this shape.

I completly agree with your comment on having more 375ml wines. Always buy this size in Rockford's Cab Sauv. Nice to have when I just want a glass of good wine over 2 nights. Also gives me a chance to see how the full sized bottles should be travelling and ensures that I don't happen to open them prematurely.

Now that we are on the topic, can anyone list anymore quality 375ml wines??

Kieran · Post by **Kieran** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 7:30 pm

Henschke Keyneton Estate is available in half bottles. I think St Henri and Katnook Cab Sav are also available.

Kieran

GrahamB · Post by **GrahamB** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 8:58 pm

Chapel Hill released it's 98 Shiraz in a half bottle. Drinking beautifully now but cellar staff think it will not last much longer. Don't think they have done it since.

Graham

ChrisH · Post by **ChrisH** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 10:23 pm

I find some bottle shapes cause great problems when storing them in my cellar bins.

The Rockford bottle slopes on the shoulder and causes problems. The skittle shape adopted by Pinot makers in particular (eg. Diamond Valley) is really hard for me as you can't stack bottles on top of each other in a stable manner.

So practicality is a big one for me - traditonal Cabernet or Rhone style bottles do it best.

regards
Chris

markg · Post by **markg** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 9:41 am

Actually Glen I find the yellow tint glass of the latest Rockfords (started using in 1999 didn't they ?) looks a little medicinal to me, a slight turn off from an asethetic point of view.

markg · Post by **markg** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 9:43 am

Oh yes, and I absolutely HATE (from a storage and transport point of view) these bloody oversized 750ml bottles - Noons, Trevor Jones, E&C ... etc.

Glen · Post by **Glen** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 10:37 pm

Yes, but Mark, Rockfords is some pretty good medicine!

I guess I just like a change from the old green bordeaux bottles, although they do make life easy in the cellaring and transport dept.

Actually I took a quick wizz up to the Barossa today, grabbed a case of the St Hallet Blackwell (I drank my last bottle the other night), and also a case of the Third Century. However, while I was there I noticed they do a cab sav in 375's - didn't get any though.

Another thing I love about these wine is the sturdy metal capsules, I like unravelling the foil. Can't stand the plastic ones.

Wizz · Post by **Wizz** » Thu Apr 22, 2004 7:57 pm

For storage, theres nothing like the standard bordeaux shape for stacking.

For aesthetics, I like the burgundy shape, as long as it isnt spoiled by a sh!tty label. Stacking them is harder, but can be done if you have a deeper shelf and lay them "top and tail". Rows stack up nicely.

The dreadnought sized Burg bottle seems to be harder, it doesnt look much bigger, but for some reason storage seems harder!