The term bottle is used to describe a specific type of wine or spirit container. It refers to a wine bottle that is short and cylindrical and has a wide neck with a narrow opening. This style of bottle is often found with a cork closure and is used to store wines, particularly red wine. It is also a popular choice for champagne and other sparkling wines, as the wide neck allows the carbon dioxide to be trapped and prevents the bubbling from dispersing too quickly.
The bottle is made of glass, which is a transparent material with the characteristics of hardness and rigidity. It is used to store a variety of liquids, including wine, spirits, soft drinks and water. It can also be used to hold solid substances, such as oils and medicines.
Bottles are available in a number of styles, and they are designed to suit the contents that they are meant to hold. The most common are the Bordeaux and Burgundy bottle types. These are roughly straight sided with a curved “shoulder” that is useful for catching sediment and are easier to stack than other types of bottles. The Champagne bottle is similar to the Burgundy, but is taller and has a wider base to withstand the pressure of carbonation.
Other varieties of bottle include the flask and the jug. The flask is a cylindrical vessel with a narrow mouth and flat bottom, while the jug has a larger neck and a spout for pouring. Bottles can be made of any number of materials, including glass, metal, and plastic. Plastic bottles are becoming increasingly popular, due to their resistance to breakage in production and transportation, as well as their lower cost.
The label of a bottle is typically attached with adhesive, though it can be built into the bottle during molding by means of in-mould labelling. Decorative touches can be added to the bottle, such as embossing or paint splatters. Printed words or designs can be applied to the surface of the bottle, as can patterns and colours.
The phrase bottle is also a verb, meaning to drink alcoholic beverages to excess. This can be a dangerous or unhealthy habit, but it is very common amongst teens and young adults. In addition, ‘bottle’ is also a slang term in British English that means arse. See the Cockney slang page for more information.
