Many people think wine bottles are simply an easy way of storing and shipping wine.
Most bottle shapes have evolved over the centuries as winemakers found their needs for trustworthy receptacles grew. This is probably the most universally recognizable bottle shape. With its tubular body, obvious rounded shoulders and thin, stubby neck the Bordeaux bottle is used by more countries than any other. The shape has changed only slightly since the 1800's. The glass has become thicker, allowing for sturdy international shipping, and darker, to keep the light from damaging the wine, but overall the shape remained the same.