Have you ever wondered why all wine bottles are sized in the metric versus our Imperial system, What various sized wine bottles are called, and How many servings each sized bottle yields? We’ll here it is:
[Disclaimer: After extensive research, I learned there are contradictions and variations on what bottles are named, based on the regions from which the wine originated. The following is my best assessment of the most common sizes and names used. The number of servings per bottle for this poster was based on 6 U.S. fluid ounces per servings.]
Bottle Shapes
Most bottles come in two basic shapes, named after regions in France.
• Bordeaux: A high-shouldered bottle used by most wineries for red wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and most Meritage or Bordeaux blends. It is named for the red grape varieties from the Bordeaux region in France. This shape is also used for Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon white wine… again for varieties allowed to be produced in Bordeaux. White wine bottles are typically of dark green glass, but may be clear, amber, or light green.
• Burgundy: A sloped-shouldered bottle generally used for Pinot Noir (red) and Chardonnay (white) worldwide. It is named for the two key grape varieties used in the Burgundy regions of France.
Bottle Color
Most red wine bottles are in dark green glass. Clear bottles are popular with white wine producers in many countries, including Greece, Canada, and New Zealand. Often you can tell from where French wine was produced, based on its bottle color…
— Dark green for red wines from Burgundy and Rhone regions
— Dark to medium green and amber for Moel and Alsace.
Bottle Names and Sizes
| # |
Measure |
Approx. Oz. | Equivalent | Servings per bottle |
Popular Name(s) |
| 1 | 187ml/ | 6.32 | quarter bottle | 1 | Split | Piccolo Champagne |
| 2 | 375 ml | 12.68 | half bottle | 2 | Half | Demi (half standard) |
| 3 | 750 ml | 25.36 | Standard | 4 | Fifth | Standard |
| 4 | 1L | 33.81 | 1.25 bottles | 5 | Liter | Litre |
| 5 | 1.5 L | 50.72 | 2 bottles | 8 | Magnum |
| 6 | 3L | 101.44 | 4 bottles | 17 | Jeroboam | Double Magnum |
| 7 | 4.5 L | 152.16 | 6 bottles | 24 | Rehoboam | Jerobaum |
| 8 | 6L | 202.88 | 8 bottles | 34 | Methuselah | Imperial |
| 9 | 9L | 304.33 | 12 bottles (1 case) | 50 | Salmanazar | Mondichai |
| 10 | 12 L | 405.77 | 16 bottles | 67 | Balthazar |
| 11 | 15 L | 507.21 | 20 bottles | 84 | Nebuchadnezzar |
| 12 | 18L | 608.65 | 24 bottles | 101 | Melchoir | Soloman |
| 13 | 25.5L | 862.26 | 34 bottles | 143 | Sovereign |
| 14 | 27L | 912.98 | 36 bottles | 152 | Prmat | Golieth |
| 15 | 30L | 1014.4 | 40 bottles | 169 | Melchizedek | Midas |
…
Be aware: 1 Liter = 33.8140226 U.S. fluid ounces. A bottle beyond 3L may require strong muscles to hold and pour… or used as a great body building tool???
I hope you have enjoyed this information. If you would enjoy an 8.5×11 copy of the above sheet, email us at Info@AdvancedEtiquette.com, Subject: Wine Bottle Smarts and we’ll send you a PDF you can print in full color to post and/or frame on your refrigerator or wall as reference. I’ve got mine posted and use it all the time.
Happy Practicing!
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