Wine Bottles
Shapes and Sizes
Shapes and Sizes
SHAPES
Years ago, wine producers created bottles that were unique to their growing area. The Bordeaux bottle shape was used to hold the wines that were produced in that region and the same is true of the Burgundy shape. The tall Hotch, or Alsace, shape was used in Germany. As wine spread throughout the world vintners continued the use of these shapes to market similar varietals. While there are many other shapes for unique or special wines, these three shapes in the 750 Ml size cover the vast majority of wines sold today. Every year over a billion wine bottles are produced throughout the world and every day Gallo Wines manufacturers two million bottles.
 |
Another
popular shape is the classic Champagne bottle. This bottle has
its own shape because of the extra glass required to provide the
strength necessary to withstand the pressure from the wine. And
also to give room for the large punt in the bottom |
 |
For
years
and years Chianti was sold in squat bottles shaped like the one
pictured here. This straw covered bottle is called a "Fiasco" and
nurtured an image of cheap Italian table wine. The high cost of
hand weaving the straw has lead to the near demise of this delightful
container. Chianti is no longer considered a vino da tavola
because all of Chianti is now in a DOCG region. Today, nearly all
producers use the Bordeaux style bottle. |
SIZES
Here are the most common sizes. Well, I guess bottle sizes Methuselah and larger are not really so common but the time may come, just once in your life, when it will be important for you to know just what is a Balthazar of wine. You never know. Perhaps a large dinner party. Perhaps a question from Regis Philbin on "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire." Perhaps you can win a glass of Chateau Petrus during a trivia contest at your local watering hole. Should that event occur, here it is.
Volume rounding liberties were taken for simplification of presentation.
If precise measurements are required, go here: http://education.yahoo.com/reference/weights_and_measures/index?p=volume
Here are the most common sizes. Well, I guess bottle sizes Methuselah and larger are not really so common but the time may come, just once in your life, when it will be important for you to know just what is a Balthazar of wine. You never know. Perhaps a large dinner party. Perhaps a question from Regis Philbin on "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire." Perhaps you can win a glass of Chateau Petrus during a trivia contest at your local watering hole. Should that event occur, here it is.
| SIZE |
BOTTLES |
METRIC |
U.S.
OUNCES |
U.S. QUARTS |
| Split |
1/4
Bottle |
187
Milliliters |
6.3
Ounces |
1/5
Quart |
| Half |
1/2
Bottle |
375
Milliliters |
12.7
Ounces |
2/5
Quart |
| Bottle |
Bottle |
750
Milliliters |
25.4
Ounces |
4/5
Quart |
| Liter |
1 Liter |
1,000
Milliliters |
33.8
Ounces |
1 Quart |
| Magnum |
2
Bottles |
1.5
Liters |
50.7
Ounces |
1.6
Quarts |
| Jeroboam |
4
Bottles |
3
Liters |
101.4
Ounces |
3.2
Quarts |
| Methuselah |
8
Bottles |
6
Liters |
202.8
Ounces |
1.6
Gallons |
| Salmanazar |
12
Bottles |
9
Liters |
304.2
Ounces |
2.4
Gallons |
| Balthazar |
16
Bottles |
12
Liters |
405.6
Ounces |
3.2
Gallons |
| Nabuchadnezzar |
20
Bottles |
15
Liters |
507
Ounces |
4
Gallons |
| Melchior |
24
Bottles |
18
Liters |
60.7
Ounces |
4.75
Gallons |
Volume rounding liberties were taken for simplification of presentation.
If precise measurements are required, go here: http://education.yahoo.com/reference/weights_and_measures/index?p=volume
