{"id":182130,"date":"2023-05-23T15:41:53","date_gmt":"2023-05-23T13:41:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.refonte-adv.votre-projet.com\/what-is-the-meaning-behind-wine-bottle-capsules\/"},"modified":"2026-04-28T13:48:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T11:48:26","slug":"meaning-behind-wine-bottle-capsules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.atelierduvin.com\/en\/meaning-behind-wine-bottle-capsules\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is the Meaning Behind Wine Bottle Capsules?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Wine bottle capsules<\/strong> spark wine lovers\u2019 curiosity and contain valuable information for bottlers and customs officers. So what do the tiny markings on the top of the cap mean? You could spend a lifetime exploring vineyards and great wines without knowing. L\u2019Atelier du Vin, a French manufacturer of wine tools since 1926, explains everything you need to know about wine bottle capsules<\/strong> before cutting them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Is a CRD or \u2018Capsule-Cong\u00e9\u2019?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In France, the official name for a wine bottle capsule is Capsule Repr\u00e9sentative de Droit<\/strong> (CRD) or capsule-cong\u00e9<\/strong>. It is made up of two elements. The \u2018capsule\u2019 part refers to the thin layer of foil (formerly made out of lead or tin) which covers and protects the neck. The \u2018cong\u00e9<\/strong>\u2019 part is located on top of the capsule. This printed and coloured paper stamp contains administrative information about the bottler<\/strong>. A wine capsule is therefore a protective sleeve and an administrative document with information for customs authorities about its bottling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A Brief History of Wine Capsules<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Up until the 19th century, wine bottle necks<\/strong> were covered in wax to ensure that they were properly sealed and airtight. Some bottlers used tar instead.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The very first wine bottle capsule<\/strong> in history, made of metallic paper, was invented in 1833 by Andr\u00e9 Georges Dupr\u00e9. This ingenious wine and spirits merchant perfected his invention and patented this bottling process, which is still widely used today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to Read the Information on a Wine Bottle Capsule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The top part of a Capsule Repr\u00e9sentative de Droit or CRD capsule<\/strong>, otherwise known as the \u2018cong\u00e9\u2019, features a \u2018pion fiscal<\/strong>\u2019, or tax stamp (in the centre), and a crown<\/strong> (around the edge). \u00a0 Both of these parts of the capsule-cong\u00e9 include information about the wine and its bottling<\/strong> and indicate that all taxes have been paid for transport and sale. Let\u2019s take a closer look at what each of these elements mean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tax Stamp Markings and Symbols<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wine produced in France includes the following information in the middle of the capsule<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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