Have you found yourself wondering about the different-sized bottles of wine? Perhaps your trips to the supermarket have left you wondering what the different volumes are in the small and larger bottles of wine?
Or maybe you want to know if there are super-sized wine bottles you don’t know about that could elevate your dinner parties? Whatever your reason might be, we have the answer for you!
When it comes to wine bottles, there are a lot of misconceptions about their size that leave many of us dubious about which size is best to buy. The last thing any of us want is less wine for our money or poor quality wine that leaves us with bitter tastes in our mouths.
The fear of getting ripped off is alive in many of us, and with so many misconceptions flying around, it can be hard to know who to trust.
Well, no more! Today we are here to put your mind at rest. Keep reading to find out about the different commonly used bottles of wine sizes and find the right size for you.
Related: Different wine bottle weights.
Split Or Piccolo
To start today, let’s begin with the smallest bottle of wine around. Remember, we are looking at commonly used or standardized wine bottles here rather than the weird and wonderful ones you can find!
The smallest bottle of wine is the Split or Piccolo and holds 187ml of wine. That’s roughly ¼ of the standard-sized bottle of wine you are used to buying at a supermarket or wine store.
These small bottles are roughly the size of your fingernail and come with just enough wine to be gone in one go! You need to be careful with these bottles; if you inhale at the wrong time, you can breathe your wine in instead of drinking it!
These sized bottles of wine are mass-produced and often filled with cheaper wine. You know, the kind that stings your throat and leaves an aftertaste in your mouth!
You need to be careful with these wines, too; they have a higher percentage of oxygen than wine in the bottle, making them prone to oxidizing. These wines will oxidize far more quickly than others, spoiling their taste and damaging their lifespan.
That said, these tiny bottles are fantastic for traveling or when you only want a small glass.
Half Or Demi
Let’s move on to the Demi bottle of wine. Otherwise known as the half, this bottle is half the size of a standard bottle of wine. You can expect 375ml from these bottles, often given as gifts or the free wine on tables at functions.
Sometimes, these bottles are referred to as a Split. A split is a name for the bottles we looked at earlier (the smallest size wine bottles), so be mindful when ordering a Demi; you don’t want to end up with an even smaller bottle of wine!
Like the smaller bottles we mentioned earlier, these half bottles can oxidize quickly, impacting their taste and lifespan. Typically, this size bottle is used for dessert, fortified wines, or sparkling wines, where smaller servings are usually given.
These smaller sizes are to accommodate the strength or sweetness of the wine.
You don’t want to drink too much and end up with a sickly-sweet stomach!
There is a plus to the smaller size bottle, though! You won’t need to record the wine and run the risk of it spoiling. Instead, you can finish the bottle and pop it straight into your recycling. It makes the cleanup process before bed that much easier!
Standard Bottle
Up next, we have the standard bottle! This is the most common bottle in which most wines are sold, offering you 750ml of your favorite red or white—this standard-size bottle that you see in stores, in wine racks, and in restaurant displays.
The 750 ml bottle appears larger, but it actually only holds a little more than two 12 oz cans of soda. At least, that’s what we tell ourselves when we accidentally polish off a bottle in one evening!
You wouldn’t feel bad about drinking 26 oz of beer or soda, so why beat yourself up about the wine?
Providing the manufacturer has followed international guidelines, you can expect a standard wine bottle to always hold 750 ml, no matter the shape of the bottle! Don’t be fooled by the ‘punt’ in the bottle too.
The ‘punt,’ if you don’t know, is located at the bottom of the bottle of wine and looks like a dip. Often, people think that the size of this means the winemaker is placing less wine in the bottle but still charging you the same.
Thankfully, this is not the case! Check the labels, and you will see that the wine bottle still holds 750ml, regardless of the size. Remember to always check the label as it will state how much wine is in each bottle.
Magnum
Finally completing our list today is the magnum, which can hold twice the wine as a standard bottle! That’s a lot of wine to enjoy! Despite being one of the more Common-sized wine bottles, it’s not seen as often as the 750ml bottle is.
Thankfully, you can still find this super-sized bottle in most wine stores! Just be prepared to ask someone for assistance locating it!
You might be wondering, why would they make a bottle larger than the standard? There are two reasons: good-quality wine and the cheap wine usually bought by those on a budget who want a good time.
Think of a group of girls looking for a cheap buzz before they hit the town!
Good quality wine bottled in a magnum is made to age, and it will also have less air per volume than a standard volume to deliver slower oxidation and a better aging process. This works best with wines that are meant to be aged for a long period.
As magnums are twice the size of standard wine bottles, they can be difficult to house. Be sure to check that you have the space for them before investing in a few bottles to age in your cellar.
Once aged, these larger bottles of wine are sure to be a talking point at a dinner party or function.
Onto the other reason wine is bottled in this larger size, to save money, we mentioned that you could often find cheaper bottles of wine in this larger size, the cheap wine that burns your throat and leaves you with a head full of regret the next day.
So why do they sell this wine in such a large bottle? Well, it’s cheaper! It’s more economical to fill one bottle. You only need one bottle, one label, one cork, saving money and allowing manufacturers to sell the wine at a lower price.
It also allows you to save space with one larger bottle of wine than two smaller bottles! If you opt for a magnum, you can enjoy more wine than normal, but be mindful that the price will determine the quality and taste of the wine!
Final Word
And there you have it, the common wine bottle sizes! Whether you are after a small bottle of wine to sneak onto the train or a large-sized bottle to wow your guests at a dinner party, there is sure to be a size here that suits your needs!
Remember that the wine is prone to oxidize quicker with smaller wine bottles, whereas a magnum bottle of wine will take longer to age.
Why not take your newfound information shopping with you and see what wine you end up with? Be sure to always drink responsibly and speak to someone if you find it difficult to stop drinking. Wine should be enjoyed but in moderation to ensure you remain healthy.
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