Naming Big Wine Bottles

When wines are larger than life, they get big names to match. Whether you want to cellar a special favorite for another day, bring a touch of grandiosity to an upscale party, or give an opulent gift, big bottles are a great solution. Below, we’ve put together a list of every wine bottle, from miniaturized to oversized and the special names given to each one! We think you’ll be surprised. 

Split

Sometimes called a Piccolo, a Split bottle holds 190 milliliters, the equivalent of a quarter of a bottle. We think splits are great as small party favors!

Half-Bottle

This size is exactly what you think! It holds 375 milliliters, equal to half a standard size bottle of wine. Probably not enough, if you ask us!

Standard Bottle

The tried-and-true wine bottle, perfect for a casual night in or a lovely dinner with a friend or two. Pour 750 milliliters of your favorite vino from this bottle!

Magnum

Magnums are where things start to get especially good. A magnum holds 1.5 liters of wine, the same as 2 standard bottles. These wines are especially impressive and age better than standard bottles. 

Double Magnum or Jeroboam

This size, holding 3 liters of wine, is equal in volume to 4 bottles of wine and has two names. When the bottle has a smooth “Burgundy Style” neck, it is called a Jeroboam, whereas the standard “Bordeaux Style” neck is referred to as a Double Magnum in this format. 

Jeroboam or Rehoboam 

Another format with multiple names, 4.5 liter bottles (equivalent to 6 standard bottles) are named after ancient kings. A Bordeaux style bottle of this volume is known as a Jeroboam, while the Burgundy style bottle is known as a Rehoboam. 

Methuselah or Imperial

Similar to the previous wines, this format, which holds 6 liters (8 bottles), is called by 2 name, depending on the bottle style. An Imperial bottle is the standard Bordeaux shape, while the Methuselah is the Burgundy shape and most commonly used for sparkling wines. 

Salmanazar

This bottle holds the equivalent of an entire case of wine, a whopping 9 liters. A single Salmanazar format bottle could easily serve 60 glasses of wine in addition to looking exceptionally kingly. 

Balthazar

Yes, they do get bigger! The Balthazar format boasts 12 liters of wine, equal to 16 standard bottles. That’s what we call prestige.

Nebuchadnezzar

The Nebuchadnezzar format bottle is equal to 15 liters, which is the same volume as 20 bottles of wine. When full, a single bottle can weigh more than 80 pounds. 

Melchior

With an astonishing 18 liters of wine, the equivalent of 24 standard bottles (2 cases) the Melchior is almost too big to believe. 

Solomon

The large format wine bottle known as the Solomon, proudly contains 20 liters of wine, equal to the kingly sum of nearly 27 standard bottles.
 

Featured in the banner photo, from largest to smallest: Imperial, Double Magnum, two Magnums, and one standard bottle. All sizes available for purchase in the Ruby Hill Tasting room!