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Most wine fans are familiar with the standard 75 cl wine bottle. Many know that a magnum is double the size. But what other size wine bottles are there? And what are they called? Read on to find out.
Bottle sizes at a glance
Quarter bottle 187.5 ml
Half bottle 375 ml
Standard 750 ml
Magnum 1.5 litre
Double Magnum/Jeroboam 3 litres
Rehoboam 4.5 litres
Imperial 6 litres
Salamanzar 9 litres
Balthazar 12 litres
Nebuchadnezzar 15 litres
Midas 30 litres
For wine lovers in the UK, the standard 750ml wine bottle is a common sight on supermarket shelves and online. But did you know it’s not the only size of wine bottle out there?
Sometimes, the standard size just isn’t enough, or it’s too much. You might already be familiar with the tiny quarter bottles you buy for your friends at Christmas or the imposing Magnum – the 1.5-litre bottle you see in Hollywood films and upmarket restaurants – but did you know wine bottles can get even bigger than that? The biggest size wine bottle in the world – the Midas – holds a huge 30 litres of wine. It’s extremely rare and hugely expensive. We’ve listed all the wine bottle sizes out there by name in this helpful guide to make sure you know what to look for when shopping.
Does wine bottle size matter?
Does size matter? When it comes to wine bottles, the answer is always yes.
Of course, bottle shape is by no means an indication of the quality of the wine inside (we all know not to judge a book by its cover). But it’s worth paying attention to when thinking about a few key things.
Aside from impressing your guests, larger bottles also have benefits for the wine inside. They can slow the wine ageing process thanks to the higher ratio of wine to oxygen. When cellaring wines, the higher volume of wine in bigger bottles also helps the wine’s aromas and flavours develop, creating additional delicious flavours of leather and tobacco over time. Plus, it offers a convenient alternative to opening multiple standard-sized bottles.
However, the merits of the standard 750ml bottle shouldn’t be overlooked – its size is ideally suited for refrigeration, making it an excellent choice for chilling your preferred white wines and rosés. Not to mention it’s the bottle designed for most wine racks!
Of course, there are also times when you’re flying solo or fancy just a glass or two. Then the smaller, “travel-size” bottles – generally quarter or half-size – are your go-to companions. They can also add a really unique touch to a gift or as a Christmas stocking filler (like our Charles Heidsieck Trio Half-Bottle gift set).
Standard wine bottle sizes
Quarter bottle
Also known as a "Split", "Piccolo" in Italian, or simply "mini", this ¼ miniature bottle holds 187.5ml of wine – a little more than a standard glass of wine. Frequently seen on flights, miniature bottles have more recently become a favourite of wine advent calendars.
Half bottle
At 375ml, this half bottle is also known as a “Demi” and is the perfect size if you’re in the mood for two to three glasses of wine. Half the size of a standard 750ml bottle, the Demi is ideal for two wine lovers to share.
Standard
A standard wine bottle is 750ml in the UK, typically offering five glasses of wine. While this size is standard, the shape of standard-size bottles can be quite diverse. This bottle variety is often influenced by the type of wine they hold, the winemaker’s preference or the region of origin.
The standard wine bottle size shapes include:
Bordeaux – Recognisable by their flat or dimpled punts (the bottom of the bottle), these bottles are designed to keep the sediment at the lowest point, ensuring a clear pour. Wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are often housed in Bordeaux bottles, showcasing the practicality and tradition of this design.
Burgundy – These bottles feature gently sloping shoulders. Classic wines such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir find their home in Burgundy bottles, reflecting the harmony between form and content in the world of wine.
Magnum
A star at glitzy parties and luxe movie scenes, the 1.5-litre Magnum equals two standard bottles and serves around ten glasses of wine. It’s a popular choice for ageing red wines and presenting Champagne in style.
Double Magnum (Jeroboam)
Also known as a Jeroboam, the Double Magnum is named after the biblical king and holds 3 litres of wine, equivalent to four standard bottles. It’s a go-to for larger gatherings, offering around 20 glasses of wine.
Rehoboam
Holding 4.5 litres, the Rehoboam is most commonly used for Champagne and serves approximately 30 glasses of wine. In Bordeaux, it’s also known as a Methuselah, named after the oldest man in the Bible.
Imperial
Looking to make a statement? The Imperial bottle, used for Champagne and some Bordeaux wines, holds the equivalent of eight standard bottles, serving up to 40 glasses.
Salmanazar
This 9-litre bottle is named after an Assyrian King. Salmanazars are used for Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne wines – it holds enough for 12 standard bottles or 60 glasses of wine.
Balthazar
This 12-litre king of wine bottles is named after one of the three Wise Men from the nativity story… and a wine bottle this size would certainly make a memorable gift. It holds the equivalent of 16 standard bottles – that’s 80 glasses!
Nebuchadnezzar
A true giant, the 15-litre Nebuchadnezzar is named after Babylon’s longest-ruling king and is used for Bordeaux and premium Champagne, offering a whopping 100 glasses of wine.
Midas
The colossal Midas, also known as the Melchizedek, tops the list with its 30-litre capacity, equivalent to 40 standard bottles or 200 glasses! Reserved for the most special occasions and generous budgets, it’s a showstopper.
What about the indent at the bottom of a wine bottle?
It’s hard to think about wine bottle sizes and shapes and forget about the indent found on the bottom of most wine bottles. This is known as a punt. And, despite what some winemakers might want you to believe, a deep punt does not mean good wine. So, what is it for?
Historically, punts are a feature of the glass-blowing method of making wine bottles. In reality they serve very little function today. In Champagne and other sparkling wines punts are deeper because they strengthen the glass bottle, making it able to withstand the pressure inside. They can also make the wine easier to serve. But, beyond that, these indents are largely a stylistic choice. What is always true, is that it’s cheaper to produce a wine bottle without a punt.
About the author
Chris Larkin
A seasoned copywriter with over two decades experience, Chris has been part of the team since 2021. At Laithwaites HQ, you’ll find him either working on our latest catalogue or creating informative content for our website. Qualified to WSET Level 3 Wine, Chris is as geeky about wine as he is about copywriting. But when it comes to choosing a special bottle, he is a traditionalist, and loves a good Bordeaux or Mâcon Chardonnay.
