Choosing the appropriate wine bottles wholesale will impact more than just the flavor. The packaging will play an important role in helping to preserve the character and flavor of the wine and also contribute to the overall presentation.
Wine Bottles for Red and White Wine
Dark-Colored Bottles
The aging process for red wines, especially those with high tannins or acidity, requires wine bottles made of dark glass. The dark glass also keeps the wine safe from harmful UV rays, which can spoil wine in the long term. Further, red wines tend to have more aging potential than whites and thus benefit from a small dose of oxygen that cork allows to seep through over time.
Another factor that affects red wine aging is the size of the bottle. Bigger bottles—magnums and the like—are often favored for aging (since magnums are basically two bottles of wine, they slow the maturation process down compared to a standard bottle). This slow maturation can help maintain the complexity of the wine so it doesn’t oxidize.
Light-Colored Bottles
Clear or light-colored glasses are used to bottle the white wines, particularly those intended to be consumed early on. White wines, with some exceptions, are not treated like red wines, as most white wines are destined to be drunk a year or two after bottling. To a wine consumer, the color, clarity, and hue are some of the more demonstrative traits of a wine, so for white wines, a clear glass shows the wine best.
Screw caps also work well overall for white wines, which typically want a tighter seal than most or any natural cork can provide. In this way, no excess oxygen enters the bottle, which could damage the wine’s freshness and stability.
Wine Bottles for Sparkling Wine
Carbonated sparkling wines, such as Champagne and Prosecco, need tougher bottles to withstand the pressure. The bottles are usually thicker and more durable than standard wine bottles to help ensure they do not break under pressure. Sparkling wines also utilize distinctive closures—often a traditional cork secured with a wire cage.
The dark glass provides protection from UV light for sparkling wines. But the real fear for bottles of sparkling wine is to withstand the pressure from within. They need a well-sealed bottle to trap all the bubbles and effervescence inside, which makes it of true value.
Wine Bottles for Fortified Wine
Wines such as Port and Sherry, which are fortified, have a higher alcohol content and are meant to be cellared for extended periods of time when compared with regular wines. Dark glass is necessary for fortified wines, which are designed to remain filled through extended aging.
Likewise, closure is important for fortified wines. Corks are traditional; however, there is more and more use of screw caps as they seal and hold more steadily. Because these wines can also be stored and/or aged for significant periods of time, it is incredibly important to limit their contact with oxygen so they do not spoil whilst also preserving their complex flavors.