A Guide to Wine Bottle Sizes

For wine drinkers everywhere, the standard 750ml (or 75cl) bottle of wine is the go-to staple in stores and online, but when it comes to wine bottle sizes, 750ml is just the tip of the iceberg!

Whether you’re a wine fan or an occasional drinker, you’ll recognize the standard 750ml bottle of wine. You may even be familiar with a 1.5-liter Magnum bottle, but did you know there are so many more wine bottle sizes? The largest wine bottle—the Midas—holds an incredible 30 liters of wine, which equals 200 glasses! Extremely rare and hugely expensive, the Midas bottle isn’t something you’ll find often.

Wine bottles come in many sizes and are typically named after Biblical kings. Some of the most age-worthy wines—from Bordeaux to Burgandies and some of the best Champagnes—can be found maturing in grander bottles.

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Does Wine Bottle Size Matter?

Does size matter? When it comes to wine bottles, the answer has to be yes.

Larger bottles can slow the wine aging process, thanks to the higher ratio of wine to oxygen, adding to the wine’s character. For cellaring wines, the higher volume of wine in bigger bottles helps the wine’s aromas and flavors develop over time from primary fruit flavors and secondary flavors of oak or spice to subtle tertiary aromas like leather and tobacco.

Wine stored in bigger bottles can impress your wine-loving friends on special occasions. Rather than opening numerous standard-sized bottles, you can pour your friends a glass of wine from just one or two bottles. The standard 750ml bottle isn’t without its benefits, however as it fits perfectly in the refrigerator for chilling your favorite white wines and rosés.

Smaller wine bottles, sometimes called “travel-size bottles,” are just right if you’re voyaging solo or simply want to enjoy just a glass or two of your favorite wine.

Thinking of stepping outside your comfort zone and trying a new wine style? Try our 12 Half-Bottles Gift Box.

Standard Wine Bottle Sizes

Quarter Bottle

Quarter bottle: Also known as Split or Piccolo, the ¼ bottle size is 187.5ml—a little larger than a standard glass of wine. Quarter bottles are often used to serve a single glass of Champagne.

Half Bottle

At 375ml, a ½ bottle is also known as Demi and is perfect for two to three glasses of wine. Half the standard 750ml bottle, the Demi is ideal for two to share.

Standard

The most common size for wine in the U.S., the 750ml or 75cl bottle generally pours five glasses. While the size is ubiquitous, standard-size bottles can vary in shape, sometimes determined by the wine they contain, the winemaker’s preference or the region they hail from.

Standard wine bottle shapes include:

Bordeaux bottles have flat or dimpled punts, ideal for allowing the sediment to fall to the lowest point of the bottle, separating it from the wine. Some of the most typical wines in Bordeaux bottles include Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Burgundy bottles have slightly sloping shoulders that are less distinct than other bottles. Traditional wines stored in Burgundy bottles include Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

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Magnum

A firm favorite of celebrity parties, Wall Street and luxe settings in movies, the 1.5-literL or 150cl Magnum is equal to two standard bottles and pours a sizable 10 glasses of wine. Often, Magnums hold age-worthy red wines and are well-known for Champagne.

Double Magnum

Also known as Jeroboam—the exact size depends on the wine type. The name comes from the first Biblical King—named after the son of Solomon and the grandson of David from the Biblical story of David and Goliath.

A Jeroboam of Champagne holds 3-liters which is equal to four standard bottles and contains enough wine for 20 glasses. A Jeroboam of a still wine will be 4.5 liters, equal to six standard bottles or 30 glasses.

Rehoboam

At 4.5 liters, a Rehoboam primarily holds Champagne and is equal to six bottles, enough for 30 glasses of wine. In Bordeaux, it’s also known as aMethuselah

Methuselah—the oldest man in the Bible—is the naming inspiration behind this 6-liter giant, which is also known as Imperial.

Equal to eight standard bottles, equaling 40 glasses of wine. An Imperial can be an impressive choice for Champagne and still wines from Bordeaux.

Salmanazar

This 9-liter bottle is named after an Assyrian King. Salmanazars usually hold Bordeaux and Champagne—enough for 12 standard bottles or 60 glasses of wine.

Balthazar

The 12-liter king of wine bottles is named after Balthazar, one of the Biblical Three Wise Men. It weighs in at 16 standard bottles, holding enough wine for an astonishing 80 glasses.

Nebuchadnezzar

A heavyweight of wine bottle sizes, the 15-liter Nebuchadnezzar is named after Babylon’s longest-ruling king. Equal to 20 bottles, it’s a table-topping equivalent of 100 glasses of wine. Bordeaux wine or top-end Champagne can be found in a Nebuchadnezzar.

Midas

Topping the size list is the Midas, also known as the Melchizedek. This 30-liter giant bottle is equal to 40 standard wine bottles. Due to its size, it’s usually reserved for special occasions and is generally used to hold Champagne.

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Reanna, Wine Advisor Team Director

Originally from England, yet born in India, now living in the States, I have had a rather colorful life—with most of it being in all the shades, pigments, perfumes & plethoras of wonderful wine.

WSET – Level 3 Wines & Spirits Certified
Sake Level 1 Certified

Oaked Sauvignon Blanc • Aged Sémillon • Spicy Shiraz/Syrah • Tuesday night Etna Rosso • Vintage Champagne!

reanna@laithwaites.com | (203) 523-2161

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