Did you know there’s more to sipping than your standard bottle of wine?
With numerous options out there, understanding bottle size can help you better prepare for everything from major special events to intimate occasions.
In this article, we’re presenting our complete wine bottle size guide so that you can find your
perfect bottle.
A Look at the Different Wine Bottle Sizes
Keep reading for a full rundown of everything from the standard size to special sizes of wine bottles.
Split (Piccolo)
This delicately sized bottle holds just 187.5 ml, equivalent to just one glass of wine. Split or Piccolo bottles are reserved exclusively for sparkling wine and are ¼ the size of standard bottles.
Half (Demi)
Half the size of a standard bottle, this lovely option holds 2.5 glasses of wine. At 375 ml, it’s perfect for sharing with one other person.
Half-Liter (Jennie)
Half-liters are a bit of a standout as there’s no official category for wine bottles between half and full size. At 500 ml, it holds ⅔ of the wine of a standard bottle, pouring about 3 glasses of wine. Half-liters are specific to dessert wines.
Standard
The standard 750 ml bottle size we all know and love pours about five 5 oz glasses of wine. The 5 oz wine glass is also known as the metric for the standard pouring size. While this bottle size is conducive to all wines, it is sometimes considered a Burgundy or Champagne bottle. This size is preferred for light red wines like Pinot Noir and white wines.
Liter
With wine prices increasing over the past few years, larger bottles, like the liter size, hold about 7 glasses of wine. This is about 1 ⅓ times the size of a standard bottle of wine.
Magnum
The preferred choice for collectors of age-worthy red wines, the Magnum wine bottle size is the equivalent of 2 standard bottles, about 10 glasses of wine, or 50 oz.
Double Magnum (Jeroboam)
Named after the first biblical king of Northern Israel, a Jeroboam or double Magnum is four times the size of a standard bottle at a massive 3 L. This comes out to about 20 glasses of wine per bottle. A double Magnum is also the equivalent of a standard boxed wine size.
Rehoboam
Still known as Jeroboam in Bordeaux, France, the name for this 4.5 L bottle comes from Solomon’s son in the Bible. It holds 6 standard bottles of wine, which is the equivalent of about 30 glasses. The type of wine associated with this particular bottle would be Champagne, as Champagne houses prefer Rehoboam bottles when serving large amounts of sparkling wine.
Methuselah (Imperial)
Imperial-sized bottles were named after the oldest man in the Bible. At 6 L, the equivalent of 8 standard bottles or 40 glasses of wine, this bottle was made for major events.
Salmanazar
This 9 L bottle is named after an Assyrian king and holds about 60 glasses of wine or 12 standard bottles.
Balthazar
With a name referring to one of the Three Wise Men, Balthazar is the gift that keeps on giving with 16 standard bottles or 80 glasses of wine, which is about 12L
Nebuchadnezzar
Nebuchadnezzar was the longest-reigning king of Babylon, and it’s also the perfect wine bottle for large gatherings like weddings or graduations. You’ll get your money’s worth with 100 glasses per bottle or 20 standard bottle sizes in one.
Melchior
With 24 standard bottles, which is about 2 cases of wine, this enormous bottle is named after the oldest living biblical Magi. You can easily serve around 120 glasses of wine with this bottle.
Solomon
Named after King Solomon himself, this bottle holds 26 standard bottles of wine at about 20 L. That’s about 130 glasses of wine. It’s perfect for robust red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon.
Sovereign
Crafted in 1988, this 26 L bottle is named after the world’s largest cruise liner. It contains 35 standard wine bottles or 175 glasses of wine.
Primat (Goliath)
At 27 L or 36 standard bottles, this gigantic bottle couldn’t be called anything else but Goliath. It pours about 180 glasses of wine.
Melchizedek (Midas)
Named after two more historical kings, this bottle brings the Midas touch as the largest on our list. It’s 30 L or 40 standard bottles, which is about 200 glasses of wine.
Wine Glass Sizes
While any wine can technically be enjoyed in any type of glass, wine enthusiasts often pay close attention to the vessel they use, as it can significantly impact the wine's taste.
For instance, red wine glasses typically have a wider bowl. This design allows for greater aeration, enhancing the flavor of many red wines. Wider glasses increase the wine's surface area, facilitating faster aeration within the glass. Consequently, light-bodied wines such as Pinot Noir or red Bordeaux blends are commonly served in stemware with wider, rounder bowls to optimize flavor profiles.
On the other hand, sparkling wines benefit from being served in narrow stemware. This design helps preserve the wine's bubbles, ensuring they remain fresh longer after pouring. While coup glasses possess an undeniable elegance, most people opt for flutes when serving Champagne or other sparkling wines due to their ability to maintain the wine's effervescence.
Standard Pouring Size
A standard single serving of wine, often referred to as a standard wine pour, typically consists of 5 fluid ounces. However, there are various reasons why one might choose to pour a little more or a little less.
During wine tastings, it's customary to offer smaller pours. This ensures that guests can sample various wines without consuming excessive amounts. A standard tasting pour is usually around 2 to 3 fluid ounces, roughly half the size of a standard pour.
Another factor to consider is the alcohol by volume (ABV) of the wine. Wines with an ABV between 11% and 13% are well-suited to the standard five-ounce pour, while wines with an ABV below 11% are often served in smaller quantities, around 3 to 4 ounces. Fortified sweet wines like Port, which can have alcohol levels as high as 20%, are typically offered in 2 to 3-ounce pours in smaller glasses meant for slow enjoyment.
If you stick to the 2 to 3-ounce pour size, you'll typically get anywhere from 8 to 12 tasting pours from a standard bottle. If you're expecting a larger group, consider serving smaller pores or having multiple bottles on hand.
Find the Perfect Bottle Size for Your Occasion
Now that you know more about wine bottle sizes and the standards for pouring, you’re ready to plan your next wine-filled event.
If you’d like to enrich your wine knowledge further, check out our Podcast and Wine Online 101 for everything related to the world of wine.
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