In today's marketplace, wine bottles come in a wide variety of sizes for differing occasions, but it's not always apparent how and why these vessels got their names. This guide breaks down the different wine bottle sizes and their names to demystify the terminology and make you a more savvy wine patron.
Piccolo (187ml)
Piccolo is the Italian word for “small,” which is the perfect name for the charming wine bottle size. This small vessel contains one-fourth of the volume of a standard-size wine bottle. Also known as a Quarter Bottle or Pony, this wine bottle size is typically used for single servings of Champagne and other sparkling wines.
Demi (375ml)
Demi is the French word for “half,” these wine bottles get their name because their size contains exactly half of the volume of a standard bottle of wine. It's also known as a Split because this vessel contains approximately two glasses of wine.
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Standard (750ml)
The basic unit of measurement in the world of wine, a Standard bottle contains 750ml or about 25oz and will yield four to five glasses of wine. Standard bottles have two main shapes: Bordeaux bottles with straight sides and tall shoulders, and Burgundy bottles with gently sloping shoulders and wide bases. These terms refer to the two most important wine regions in France and the grapes they made famous. The so-called Bordeaux varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc traditionally come in the former shape, while the grapes of Burgundy such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are typically bottled in the latter shape.
Magnum (1.5L)
Magnum bottles contain the equivalent of two standard bottles of wine. Large format bottles such as Magnums are preferred by connoisseurs for their superior age-ability, mostly due to the reduced surface area of wine in the bottle with respect to the oxygen that slowly seeps in via pores in the cork closure (too much oxygen will spoil wine and turn it to vinegar, while a small amount over time will help it mature and develop additional complexity). Magnums are typically more expensive than two standard bottles of the same wine, owing to the fact that wineries have to retool their production lines in order to accommodate the larger bottles. These wine bottles get their name because of their massive size. They contain about ten full glasses of wine and certainly make a big impression at large gatherings.
Full Wine Bottle Size Chart
Here is every common wine bottle size, from the smallest to the largest, with how many standard 750 mL bottles each one holds and roughly how many 5 ounce glasses it pours. The names come from Champagne, and Bordeaux uses a few different names for the same sizes.
| Bottle name | Volume | Standard bottles | Glasses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piccolo or Split | 187.5 mL | 1/4 | 1 |
| Demi or Half Bottle (sometimes also called a split) | 375 mL | 1/2 | 2 to 3 |
| Standard | 750 mL | 1 | 5 |
| Magnum | 1.5 L | 2 | 10 |
| Double Magnum or Jeroboam | 3 L | 4 | 20 |
| Rehoboam | 4.5 L | 6 | 30 |
| Methuselah (Imperial in Bordeaux) | 6 L | 8 | 40 |
| Salmanazar | 9 L | 12 | 60 |
| Balthazar | 12 L | 16 | 80 |
| Nebuchadnezzar | 15 L | 20 | 100 |
| Melchior | 18 L | 24 | 120 |
| Solomon | 20 L | 26 | 130 |
| Primat or Goliath | 27 L | 36 | 180 |
| Melchizedek or Midas | 30 L | 40 | 200 |
What Is a Small Bottle of Wine Called?
A small 187 mL bottle of wine is called a piccolo or a split, and it holds about one glass. A 375 mL bottle is called a demi or a half bottle, and it holds two to three glasses. Small bottles are popular for wedding favors, gift bags and single servings, which is why we offer personalized mini wine bottles and half bottles with custom labels.
What Are the Big Wine Bottle Names?
Anything larger than 750 mL is called a large format bottle. The most common is the magnum (1.5 L), followed by the double magnum or Jeroboam (3 L). Beyond that, the names come from biblical kings: Methuselah, Salmanazar, Balthazar, Nebuchadnezzar and Melchizedek. Large bottles age more slowly and make a big impression at parties, so see our magnum and large format wine bottles.
Wine Bottle Size FAQs
How many ounces are in a standard bottle of wine?
A standard 750 mL bottle of wine holds about 25.4 fluid ounces, or five 5 ounce glasses.
How many glasses of wine are in a bottle?
A standard bottle pours about five glasses at 5 ounces each. A magnum pours about ten.
Why is a bottle of liquor called a fifth?
A fifth was originally one fifth of a US gallon, about 757 mL. Today the standard size is 750 mL, but the name stuck.
What is the biggest wine bottle size?
The largest standard size is the Melchizedek, also called a Midas, at 30 liters, which equals 40 standard bottles.
What size is a magnum of wine?
A magnum holds 1.5 liters, the same as two standard bottles, or about ten glasses.
What is a split of Champagne?
A split usually means a 187 mL bottle, a quarter of a standard bottle, which pours about one glass, though some people also use the word for a 375 mL half bottle. Splits of Champagne and Prosecco are a classic party favor, see our mini Champagne bottles.
How many milliliters are in a bottle of wine?
A standard bottle of wine holds 750 milliliters, which is about 25.4 fluid ounces or five glasses.
Why do wine bottles have a dent in the bottom?
The dent is called a punt. It dates back to glassblowing, when it made bottles sturdier and helped them stand up straight. Today it also helps collect sediment in older red wines.
Why are port bottles shaped differently?
Port bottles usually have a higher, more pronounced shoulder, which helps catch sediment as you pour so it stays in the bottle instead of your glass.
