Mini wine bottles

Eva Pizarro

Sumiller en restaurante Fierro y formadora en Tandem Gastronómico.

Did you know that there are wine bottles for all occasions?

Well there are, although the most common ones are the 0.75 litre bottles, otherwise known as standard bottles, there are 18 different sizes.

The following are the most well-known:

1. 187,5 ml. > Quarter bottle, Piccolo or Split: A quarter part of a standardbottle size, approximately one glass of wine.
2. 375 ml. > Half bottle: This contains half of a standard750 ml wine bottle.
3. 750 ml. > Standard:: The most common wine bottle size in the catering industry and establishments.
4. 1,5 l. > Magnum: Equivalent to two standard 750 ml bottles.
5. 3 l. > Doble Magnum: Equivalent to two Magnums or four standard 750 ml bottles.
6. 4,5 l. > Jeroboam: Equivalent to six standard 750 ml bottles.
7. 6 l. > Imperial: Equivalent to eight standard 750 ml bottles, or two Double Magnums.
8. 9 l. > Salmanazar: Equivalent to twelve standard 750 ml bottles, or one case of wine.
9. 12 l. > Balthazar:: Equivalent to sixteen standard 750 ml bottles, or two Imperials.
10. 15 L. > Nebuchadnezzar:: Equivalent to twenty standard 750 ml bottles.

As we were saying earlier, the normal bottles in the catering industry and retail stores is the standard, 3/4 litre bottle, although 1.5 litre Magnum bottles are also fairly common asthey are very convenient for events with many guests or large tables in restaurants.

The larger formats are almost always for decorative purposes, as they are very cumbersome for serving wine, although they are ideal for ageing wine in the bottle.

What about the smaller sizes?

Half bottles, 375 ml, are becoming more popular, and are the usual size for people who drink wine alone or who want to try more than one type of wine with their meal. They are also the bottles used for fortified wine,,  sweet wine and some special editions.

The quarter litre bottle, 187.5 ml, also known as the Piccolo or Split is still the first choice for airline bars, mini-bars in hotels and as gifts.This is where we can find an endless choice, from sparkling wine, to whites,  or reds or special wines bottled in the ideal quantity for one glass.

Wineries and distributors allow us to personalise bottles with: the date of our wedding, baptism, birthday, etc., which is a nice way of celebrating these special events with a glass of wine of the same year.

So now you know, you can choose the size for you and enjoy a good glass of wine!