An essential, straightforward guide to wine bottle formats, from single-serve Piccolos to legendary giants.
Does Size Really Matter?
When it comes to wine, size isn't just about how long the party lasts. From the convenient half-bottle for a quiet Tuesday night to the magnificent, table-dominating presence of a Salmanazar, the bottle format plays a huge role in how a wine ages and, ultimately, how it tastes.
As a general rule, wine bottled in larger formats matures more slowly than in standard 75cl bottles. With less oxygen contact relative to the volume of liquid, these big hitters are the ideal investment for those looking to cellar wine for future enjoyment.
The Small & Specialised
| Bottle Name | Volume | Standard Bottles | The Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piccolo / Quarter | 18.75cl | 1/4 | The "individual" serve, most commonly seen in the world of Champagne and sparkling wine. |
| Chopine | 25cl | 1/3 | A traditional French measure, largely found in the historic cellars of Bordeaux. |
| Half / Demi | 37.5cl | 1/2 | The perfect size for a glass or two with dinner. It’s exactly half a standard bottle. |
| Jennie | 50cl | 2/3 | Popular for sweet wines like Sauternes and Tokaji, and increasingly popular for modern still wines. |
| Clavelin | 62cl | 0.8 | Unique to 'Vin Jaune' of the Jura; it is the volume remaining after six years of cask ageing. |
The Main Event
| Bottle Name | Volume | Standard Bottles | No. of Glasses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 75cl | 1 | 6 |
| Magnum | 150cl | 2 | 12 |
| Double Magnum / Jéroboam | 300cl | 4 | 24 |
The Giants of the Cellar
Many of these larger formats are named after biblical kings. They are as rare as they are impressive, and often bottled specially by the wine producer to order.
| Bottle Name | Volume | Standard Bottles | The Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impériale / Methusaleh | 600cl | 8 | Known as Impériale in Bordeaux and Methusaleh in Champagne/Burgundy. |
| Salmanazar | 900cl | 12 | Equivalent to a full case of 12 bottles. Named after the King of Assyria. |
| Balthazar | 1200cl | 16 | Named after one of the Three Wise Men. A rare, high-prestige format. |
| Nebuchadnezzar | 1500cl | 20 | A 15-litre powerhouse equivalent to 20 standard bottles. |
| Solomon | 1800cl | 24 | Named after the King of Israel. Equivalent to two full cases of wine. |
| Sovereign | 2550cl | 33 | Created by Taittinger in 1988 for the 'Sovereign of the Seas' launch. |
Ready to go big?
Larger formats are the perfect way to mark a milestone or gift something truly unique.
Shop Magnums & Larger Formats