Ever wonder what those larger format wine bottles are called and how much they hold? Here’s an easy guide to the most common sizes and names. This information is great for trivia contests and cocktail parties too!
187.5 ml is called a Split and holds just ¼ of a standard bottle of wine.
375 ml is called a Demi or Half size and holds ½ of a standard bottle of wine.
750 ml is called a Standard wine bottle and is the most common wine bottle size.
1.5 L is called a Magnum and holds 2 standard bottles of wine.
3 L is called a Double Magnum and is the equivalent of 4 standard bottles of wine.
4.5 L is considered a Jeroboam but the size has now grown to include 5 Liters as well (due to US regulations.) This bottle holds between 6-6.66 standard bottles of wine and was named after the founder and first king of Israel, who reigned from 931-910 BCE or 922-901 BCE, depending on whom you ask.
4.5-5 L is also called a Rehoboam, when it contains Champagne or sparkling wines. Rehoboam was the son of Solomon, King of Judah and he reigned from 922-908 BCE.
6 L is named for Methuselah and it is the equivalent of 8 standard bottles of wine! This size is named for the Biblical patriarch purported to have lived to the ripe old age of 969.
9 L is called a Salamanzar, named for the King of Assyria, who reigned from 859-824 BCE and it contains 12 standard bottles of wine.
12 L is named for Balthazar who was the Regent of Babylon and son of Nabonide. He reigned in 539 BCE and this bottle holds a whopping 16 standard bottles.
16 L is the big daddy of them all! Named after Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon who reigned from 605-562 BCE, it holds the equivalent of 20 standard bottles.
It’s much less common to find large format wine bottles beyond a Jeroboam or Rehoboam so if you attend a party that has one, consider yourself privileged to have sipped from the most esteemed of Biblical gods.