Abbreviation for "Original Wooden Case"; English OWC = Original Wooden Case, French Caisse en Bois Original. This term is used for unopened (nailed) wooden cases containing mostly 12 wine bottles. See under case.
The packaging of wine for shipping and transport is mostly done in wooden crates, more rarely in strong cardboard boxes. The usual international quantity for crates is 12 bottles of 0.75 litres. This quantity was chosen because it can be carried comfortably by one person. The wine bottles are packed horizontally in the crate (as opposed to in cartons). If production quantities are given in "crates", this refers almost exclusively to crates...
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Roman Horvath MW
Domäne Wachau (Wachau)