WOW the guests or hosts at your next dinner party by spilling your wine knowledge – or at least one interesting wine fact.
According to experts, there's a purpose behind the indentations on wine bottles, and a reason they aren't universal.
The team at Reader's Digest explained what the indentation is, and spoke to wine experts who could further detail why so many wine bottles have one.
"While it may appear to be an indent/dimple at the bottom of a wine bottle, it’s actually called a punt," the outlet explained.
While the structure of a wine bottle remains consistent regardless of what kind of wine you're serving, the punt can change in width, depth, and shape.
"Historically, punts were used by glassblowers to push up the seam and ensure the bottle could stand upright," Alicja Podgorska, Director of Supply Chain for Precept Wine, told the outlet.
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This is a helpful feature for serving, since wine can stay upright between pours. It might have also been intended to make the bottle stronger.
"Some believe that the punt helped support the bottle’s structural integrity," Podgorska added.
When you're ready to pour, the punt makes that easier as well: if a home chef or pro sommelier needs to pour a glass of wine, you can gripping the punt and do it one-handed.
"Depending on the producer, manufacturer, and latest technology, the punt can be included or excluded based off preference," said Keith Wallace, founder of the Wine School of Philadelphia.
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While a punt doesn't necessarily indicate a better wine, the feature is typically associated with more expensive bottles.
"To include a punt would require a higher cost on behalf of the producer," Wallace said. It also requires a sturdier glass to be used.
A cheap winemaker typically won't spring for the heavier glass and the extra work needed to create a punt.
That doesn't mean the punted bottle you found at the store is a higher quality, though there may be some benefits, said Chris Cree, a Master of Wine.
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"Some believe it improves the bottle’s ability to capture sediment in older wines and make decanting easier," Cree told the outlet.
You can show off your knowledge at your next big event – while pouring one-handed using the punt to help you, of course.
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