In the world of wine, nothing is left to chance. Least of all the vessel that protects it, transforms it and, in certain cases such as ours, takes it to live a second life beneath the waves of the Cantábrico. A wine bottle is not merely a container; it is a silent protagonist that has evolved over millennia, from ancient amphorae to sophisticated designs that can even withstand marine currents.
From clay to the depths: a journey through time
The first wines travelled in clay amphorae sealed with wax to prevent contact with air. The Greeks and Romans pioneered these techniques, designing vessels that could be transported easily by ship. Later, for centuries, wooden barrels took over, particularly in Europe, although they presented certain disadvantages when it came to preservation.
Everything changed in the 17th century, when glass began to be used in England as a material for bottling wine. The introduction of cork followed, allowing bottles to be sealed hermetically and wine to be stored for long periods. The modern concept of bottle ageing had been born.
Bottle types: more than aesthetics, a matter of function (and evolution)
Over time, winegrowers came to realise that each type of wine required different storage conditions. Thus emerged the various bottle formats we know today:
Bordeaux bottle
-
Straight sides and pronounced shoulders.
-
Ideal for powerful red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon.
-
Its shoulders catch sediment when the wine is poured.
Burgundy bottle
-
Broad body, sloping neck.
-
A classic for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
-
Our ally in Crusoe Treasure: after extensive trials in the Cantábrico, this bottle has proved the most resistant and functional for underwater ageing. Its aerodynamic shape withstands currents more effectively and facilitates the wine’s harmonious evolution beneath the water.
Sparkling wine (Champagne) bottle
-
Thicker glass and a pronounced concave base (the famous “punt”).
-
It withstands the pressure of sparkling wines such as Cava and Champagne.
Alsace or Rhine bottle
-
Tall, slender and without shoulders.
-
Ideal for aromatic white wines such as Riesling.
Sherry bottle
-
More robust, originating in Andalusia.
-
Designed for fortified wines such as Sherry and Port.
Rosé wine bottles
-
Varied, many inspired by classic designs.
-
They often feature an attractive design that reflects freshness and modernity.
Beyond shape: key factors in wine evolution
At Crusoe Treasure, we have learned that every detail influences the ageing of wine, especially when it takes place in such a singular environment as the seabed:
-
Glass colour: dark glass protects against light and is ideal for reds intended for ageing. Whites and rosés, by contrast, are usually bottled in lighter glass to highlight their colour, although this requires greater care regarding light exposure.
-
Size: thanks to their greater volume, magnum bottles allow for slower, more complex evolution.
-
Glass thickness: essential for withstanding underwater pressure. On our underwater expeditions, we select thicker bottles to protect both the wine’s structure and the bottle itself.
-
Concave base ("punt"): it reinforces the bottle and improves its stability, while also helping with sediment management and stacking.
-
Interaction with marine currents: one of our most fascinating discoveries has been observing how the movement of the sea interacts with the shape and weight of each bottle. Certain varietals, such as Tempranillo, require heavier bottles to maintain stability during underwater ageing.
The ideal bottle for perfect underwater ageing
Since 2007, at Crusoe Treasure we have devoted time and effort to understanding how the shape, thickness and colour of glass influence wine maturation when it is left to evolve beneath the sea. Thanks to its robust yet elegant design, the Burgundy bottle has been key to preserving quality and enhancing the aromas and flavours of our wines, meeting the challenge of tides and ocean pressure with elegance.
Discover the underwater wines Crusoe Treasure