burlap sack

[Georgie]

Last evening we ate at a terrific Spanish/Portugese restaurant. We toted along a Chilean wine, the name of which, I, have unfortunately, forgotten. The wine was delicious and I intend to go back to buy more at the $8.99 price tag. The bottle was wrapped in a burlap sack and proved to be rather challenging for the poor waiter to get past in order to uncork the bottle. I have two questions: 1. What purpose, if any, does the burlap serve? and 2. Should I have taken off the burlap at home?