Why does wine bottle have indented bottom

The subtle indentation at the bottom of a wine bottle has an intriguing name - a punt or pontil. While many fascinating theories exist about its purpose, it is not there to distinguish high-quality wine from lower-quality counterparts.

In the past, wine bottles were handcrafted by glassblowers. During the process, they couldn't hold the hot bottles directly, as it would cause burns. Instead, they used a long rod for support, which led to the creation of the indentation at the base.

Over time, it was discovered that this dimple improved the bottle's stability, allowing it to stand more securely on surfaces.

Today, most wine bottles are produced using machines, eliminating the need for an indented bottom. However, the tradition persists, and many wines are still bottled in containers with a punt.

This indentation still serves a purpose. The concave bottom enhances the bottle's durability and resistance to high pressure. Additionally, it aids in handling the bottle when pouring wine. The dimple provides a convenient grip point for your thumb, while the rest of your fingers hold the base.

Another theory suggests that the punt helps manage sediment. The shape directs sediment to the edges of the indentation, preventing it from mixing back into the wine. Moreover, this design allows the wine to cool faster due to the increased surface area in contact with the liquid.

A bottle with a concave bottom is significantly easier to clean compared to one with a flat base.

However, there are drawbacks. For instance, producing a bottle with an indented bottom requires slightly more material, making it more expensive.