Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

Bottling is the process of packaging liquids, primarily in narrow-necked containers like bottles, to protect their contents from spills, evaporation, or contamination. Historically, materials like gourds and animal skins were used, but glass became the dominant material due to its non-reactive properties and aesthetic appeal. Modern bottling is a highly mechanized process, capable of handling up to 400 bottles per minute.12

For distilled spirits, glass is preferred because it doesn't react with the liquor, preserving its aroma and flavor. For wine, bottling may involve blending for uniformity, filtration, and the addition of preservatives like sulfur dioxide to prevent spoilage. Minimizing oxygen exposure during bottling is crucial, often achieved through methods like bottom-filling or flushing the bottle with inert gases. While glass remains common, plastic bottles offer breakage resistance and lightness, though they may not offer the same level of product protection.231

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.