Key to Wine and Champagne Bottle Sizes

In Bottle Sizes...Bigger is Better
There are 13 different bottle sizes. The larger sized bottles are produced in less quantity than the standard size bottle, and are always worth more than just double the price of the regular size bottle. Champagne is most popular and common in using larger bottles. The magnum is a double sized bottle (1.5 liters) and is one of the best selling sized bottles for Champagne. Many California Cabernet Sauvignons, Red Bordeaux, and Red Burgundies are produced collected in these larger formats. It is generally accepted that wine will age better - longer, more gracefully and uniformly in a large format bottle - hence their popularity with collectors. There is also great novelty and fun in opening and serving a large bottle. Often for special occasions, one will have all the quests sign the label of a large bottle as the labels are proportionately larger with the large bottles. See Rick's large format bottles, labels and large bottle feature in Wine Spectator Magazine.
 

187 ml.

1/4 of a standard bottle

375 ml.

1/2 of a standard bottle

750 ml.

1 standard bottle

9 liters

12 standard bottles.

12 liters.

Equal to 16 standard bottles.

12 to 16 liters

Depending on the country of origin this will be from 16 to 20 standard bottles. 

50 liters

67 standard bottles.

Back to top                    Back to WineSite Home