Some of the most common glass bottle shapes--HIGHTOR Glass Bottles

Bordeaux bottle Named after the famous Bordeaux region in France, where blends based on the red wine grapes Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are king. This shape is often used for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and red wine blends. Burgundy bottle A style with lower shoulders and a large base, named after France's Burgundy region, known for world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. As a result, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are produced in this style of bottle throughout the world. Champagne bottle Named after the spiritual home of sparkling wine in France, the Champagne bottle is used for bubbly wine throughout the world. The style has a few variations, but all of them have gently sloping shoulders (the area under the neck of the bottle), a large indentation ("punt") in the bottom to help safely contain the bubbles' added pressure. German / Alsace bottle These tall, thin bottles are commonly used for bottling aromatic white wines made in Germany and the nearby Alsace region of France. You will most commonly find them containing Riesling, Gewurztraminer, or Pinot Blanc. Dessert wine bottle Short and thin, dessert wine bottles commonly used for sweet wines such as ice wine and late harvest wines. They are actually are half-sized bottles (375 ml), used to highlight the luscious intensity and small production of these wines. The next time you're shopping for wine, keep these styles in mind for a quick-take of what might be inside the bottle. Of course, there are always exceptions to these "rules," so be sure to check the label to confirm you're actually getting the style or grape that you've got your heart set on before parting with your hard-earned cash.