Wine bottle capsules

What do the capsules on wine bottles mean?

The meaning of capsules

Introduction

Far from being mere decoration, the capsules on wine bottles are an essential element of communication between bottlers and the customs authorities. They carry a set of cryptic information, an aspect of the wine world that often remains little known even after years of experience. L'Atelier du Vin, a maker of wine equipment since 1926, demystifies the world of wine capsules for you.

Definition and composition of the wine capsule

The wine bottle capsule, or Capsule Représentative de Droit (CRD), is a combination of materials designed to protect and inform. It consists of a thin aluminium film (formerly lead or tin) that fits the neck perfectly to protect it. Above the cork, a coloured paper disc called the congé carries administrative information about the bottler. Together they play a dual role: protective and informative.

A little history

Before the 19th century, wax or tar was used to seal bottle necks and preserve the wine. In 1833, André Georges Dupré revolutionised the process by inventing the first metal capsule, an innovation that became the standard for the wine industry.

Reading and understanding the information on capsules

CRD capsules bear a set of codes and symbols, particularly on the congé. These markings include the fiscal mark and the crown, giving valuable details about the wine, its bottling and the duties paid. Here is how to decipher them:

- The fiscal mark: in the centre are national symbols (such as the effigy of Marianne for France), the name of the country and the initials of the customs body, together with the bottle's capacity.

- The crown: the codes around the crown reveal the department where the wine was bottled, the bottler's identifier and their status (R for Récoltant, the grower; N for Négociant, the merchant; E for Entrepositaire, the bonded warehouse keeper), giving an insight into the wine's journey from production to sale.

The meaning of the colours

Wine capsules come in different colours, but what are they for?

Orange is for vin doux naturel (naturally sweet fortified wine)

Blue for table wines and vins de pays

Green for still and sparkling wines with an AOP / AOC appellation

Wine-red may replace blue and green