Topic: Any oenologists out there?

[Paul ADK]

Perhaps this question is a bit offbeat, but does anyone know why wine bottles (and only?) wine bottles have been normally manufactured with a "kick up" in the bottom?  I have to assume there is a purpose.

[Sue C]

I always thought that was where you put your thumb when pouring.

[butchiedog]

Here is a bit I Googled. --- Mike

A punt, also known as a kick-up, refers to the dimple at the bottom of a wine bottle. There is no consensus explanation for its purpose.

The more commonly cited explanations include:

- it is a symbol that the larger the punts the better the wine
- it is an historical remnant of old-fashioned glass-blowing techniques;
- it had the function of making the bottle less likely to topple over __ a bottle designed with a flat bottom only needs a small imperfection to make it unstable __ the dimple historically allowed for a larger margin of error;
- it consolidates sediment deposits in a thick ring at the bottom of the bottle, preventing it from being poured into the glass.
- it allows a bottle of sparkling wine to be turned upside-down and then stacked (depending on its shape);
- it increases the strength of the bottle, allowing it to hold the high pressure of sparkling wine/champagne;
- it can make the bottle look bigger, impressing purchasers
- it holds the bottles in place on pegs of a conveyor belt as they go through the filling process in manufacturing plants; and it accommodates the pourer's thumb for stability and ease of pouring.

[pamela]

I would vote for strength of the bottle and AGAINST:

*consolidates sediment deposits in a thick ring at the bottom of the bottle, preventing it from being poured into the glass.*

unless you store it for hours \ before opening    :huh:

[krsilber]

This page discusses some of the possible reasons for the kick (about 1/5th of the way down the page):
http://www.sha.org/bottle/bases.htm
(Great site to explore for other glassmaking info, too)

[Paul ADK]

Thanks for the information.  I had read recently that 17th and 18th century Americans including Thomas Jefferson, ordered their port wine, sherry, etc., from Europe by the barrel and upon its arrival, had it decanted into their own "Private stock" bottles.  We have several such bottles in our collection, some with iron or graphite pontils, some with broken pontils, but all with the distinctive high kick up - that got me wondering about the purpose.

Thanks again
Paul