The table below shows the most commonly used bottle sizes, their names and whether they are specific to a particular region. As a general rule the larger the bottle size, the slower the ageing process and the more complex the wine. Many of the sizes listed are rarely found in the market, and the very large formats need to be requested and bottled specially by the producer. Interestingly, smaller formats are becoming increasingly popular in the market; half bottles are the perfect size for a glass or two with dinner.
Perhaps your wine friends might be able to list the ten or so below but if they’ve only got two or three up their sleeves, you can enjoy filling in the blanks…
| |
Volume |
Equivalent
bottles |
No of Glasses |
Piccolo/Quarter/Snipe/Pony
Best known as a single serving of Champagne |
20/18.75cl |
¼ |
1 |
Chopine
Most commonly found in Bordeaux |
25cl |
⅓ |
1¼ |
Half/Demi/Fillette
Half a standard bottle |
37.5cl |
½ |
3 |
Jennie
Commonly used for Tokaj, Sauternes (and other sweet wines) and Sherry. Known as Demie or Pinte in Champagne |
50cl |
¾ |
4 |
Clavelin
Unique to ‘Vin Jaune’ and, history has it, came about because it was the volume of liquid that was left after the wine had completed its obligatory six years and three months of cask ageing. |
62cl |
¾ |
5 |
Bottle
The standard wine bottle size |
75cl |
1 |
6 |
Magnum
Perhaps the most impressive bottle to serve at a dinner party; being so visually impressive and generous looking! |
150cl |
2 |
12 |
Marie-Jeanne
Also known as a tregnum or Tappit Hen this is about the same height as a standard 75cl bottle but with a greater circumference in the body and a thicker neck. Hardly seen these days as the size and shape would require careful handling and specific storage. |
225cl |
3 |
18 |
Double Magnum
Known as a Jéroboam when used for Champagne and Burgundy |
300cl |
4 |
24 |
Jéroboam
Named after the first king of Israel. |
450cl |
6 |
36 |
Réhoboam
Used for Champagne and Burgundy. Named after Rehoboam, son of Solomon and King of Judah. |
450cl |
6 |
36 |
Impériale
Used for Bordeaux wines. |
600cl |
8 |
48 |
Methusaleh
Champagne & Burgundy. Named after Methuselah, the son of Enoch and the grandfather of Noah. |
600cl |
8 |
48 |
Salmanazar/Mordechai
Named after Shalmanese, the biblical king of Assyria from 727 to 722 BC. |
900cl |
12 |
72 |
Balthazar
Named after Balthazar, one of the three wise men. |
1,200cl |
16 |
96 |
Nebuchadnezzar
Named after a king of Babylon |
1,500cl |
20 |
120 |
Melchior
Named after another of the three wise men. |
1,800cl |
24 |
136 |
Solomon
Named after a biblical, king of Israel, the Son of David |
2,000cl |
26.6 |
156 |
Sovereign
Reportedly created by Taittinger in 1988 for the launch of the then world's largest cruise liner Sovereign of the Seas |
2,550cl |
33 |
196 |
Primato
A rare Italian bottle size |
2,625cl |
35 |
210 |
Primat
Also known as a Goliath or Paramount |
2,700cl |
36 |
216 |
Melchizedek
Named after Melchizedek or Midas - a Biblical King of Salem |
3,000cl |
40 |
240 |