Champagne bottle sizes: Which one should you choose?

When it comes to the perfect wine to gift or open on a special occasion, you simply cannot go wrong with a bottle of Champagne. This sparkling wonder from France is synonymous with celebration, making it a popular choice for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and romantic dinners for two. And while Champagne comes in many different colors, vintages and styles, it also ranges in bottle size from tiny to enormous formats.

In this guide to champagne bottle formats, we take a look at the different wine bottle sizes in which Champagne is available, discuss the bottle size names and learn more about how much of the precious liquid each champagne bottle holds. For the sake of this article, we consider the total volume of a Champagne flute to be 6 ounces and the standard pour to be 4 ounces of Champagne.

THE SMALL: FROM PICCOLO TO IMPERIAL PINT

While large bottles of champagne bottles typically get most of the attention, it is important to note that there are some formats that are smaller than the standard champagne bottle. Let’s take a look at these miniature bottles, perfect for individual consumption.

• The Piccolo Bottle or Split Bottle (187.6 mL or 6.3 oz)

This bottle format, named after the word “small” in Italian can hold 187.6 milliliters or 2.6 fluid ounces. This equals one-fourth of the volume of a standard bottle or 1 large serving of champagne. Piccolo bottles are the perfect stocking-stuffers and popular in-flight options.

• The Half-Bottle or Demi Bottle (375 mL or 12.7 oz)

The demi- or half-bottle of Champagne holds 375 milliliters or 12.7 fluid ounces, which equals one-half the volume of a standard bottle. A half bottle holds around 3 servings of Champagne, making it a great option for a picnic outside.

• The Imperial Pint (600 mL or 20 oz)

This is an extremely rare bottle format, first produced by Pol Roger Champagne and preferred by Winston Churchill (Pol Roger’s most famous brand ambassador). The Imperial Pint contains 600 milliliters or 20 fluid ounces or 5 servings of Champagne.

THE STANDARD BOTTLE (750 ML OR 25 OZ)

The most common Champagne bottle size is the standard bottle, which holds 750 milliliters or 25 fluid ounces. This is equivalent to 6 glasses of Champagne. This wine bottle standard is 13” tall and has a diameter of 3.5”. They are widely available and easy to find as the go-to bottle size of Champagne to serve at hotels and restaurants for example. Discover our full collection of Standard bottles of Champagne, from top producers like Laurent Perrier and Veuve Clicquot!

THE LARGE: FROM MAGNUM TO SALMANAZAR

Impressive in size but still quite manageable, large formats of Champagne, with their Biblical names, are a fantastic choice for a truly memorable wine gift. We’ve broken down these larger than life bottles into two categories: the big boys below, which weigh in under 10 litres, and the gigantic, which range from 12-30 litres.

• The Magnum Bottle (1.5 L or 50 oz)

With its name that means “great” in Latin, the magnum bottle holds 1.5 liters or 50 fluid ounces, which is equivalent to 2 standard bottles or 12 glasses of champagne. As in the case of still wines like Bordeaux, Magnum bottles are considered the top choice for aging Champagne due to its ideal liquid surface to air volume ratio, known as ullage. This format is thus ideal for vintage champagne, which improves significantly over time in the bottle.

• The Jeroboam Bottle (3 L or 101 oz)

Here is where even the most avid wine lovers get a bit confused. In Bordeaux, a 3L bottle is called a Double Magnum and a 5L bottle is referred to as a Jeroboam. In the world of Champagne, Double Magnum does not exist and the 3L bottle is instead called a Jeroboam. A Jeroboam bottle of Champagne thus holds 3 liters or 101 fluid ounces of champagne, equivalent to 4 wine bottles of wine or 24 glasses.

This format was named after the first King of Northern Israel, who ruled in the 10th century BC. Its name also means “he increases people,” which is appropriate, as this bottle will definitely increase the number of people around it when opened…

• The Rehoboam Bottle (4.5 L or 152 oz)

This very rare format was named after the Biblical character and King of the Kingdom of Judah, son of King Solomon and grandson of King David, who ruled during the 10th century BC. The word also literally translates to “he enlarges the people.” A Rehoboam of Champagne holds 4.5 liters or 152 fluid ounces, the equivalent of 6 standard bottles or 36 glasses of bubbly. A great choice for the fine wine collector seeking limited edition bottles.

• The Methuselah Bottle or Mathusalem Bottle or Imperial Bottle (6 L or 203 oz)

Methuselah is a character from the Old Testament of the Bible, one of Noah’s ancestors, who lived to the age of 969. While we cannot promise the Champagne inside will live as long, this format certainly allows for some long-term aging. The Methuselah or Mathusalem Bottle of Champagne holds 6 liters or 203 fluid ounces, equal to 8 standard bottles of 48 servings.

• The Salmanazar Bottle or Tsalmanazar Bottle (9 L or 304 oz)

The Salmanazar bottle got its name from the Assyrian king Salmanazar II, who lived from 858 to 824 BC. This big champagne bottle holds 9 liters of 304 fluid ounces, the equivalent of 12 standard bottles of 72 glasses of champagne. It is the ideal choice for a truly memorable wine gift.

AND THE MASSIVE: BALTHAZAR TO MELCHIZEDEK

Weighing in at an impressive 12-30 liters are the largest Champagne bottles in the world. These show-stopping formats are extremely rare and hard to find, produced in limited quantities by the greatest Champagne brands. When we think of these formats, we think of large gatherings: weddings, family reunions, networking events or New Year’s celebrations. These are bottles to be shared with many, unforgettable centerpieces at the most special occasions.

• The Balthazar Bottle (12 L or 405 oz)

Named after a king of Arabia who was also one of the Three Wise Men who gave a gift to the baby Jesus, the Balthazar is one of the large bottles of Champagne, which weighs in at 12 liters of 405 fluid ounces. This big Champagne bottle will fill 96 standard sized glasses of Champagne and is the equivalent to 16 standard bottles. The perfect choice for a family reunion.

• The Nebuchadnezzar Bottle (15 L or 507 oz)

The Nebuchadnezzer (also known as Nabuchodonosor in French or “Nebu” for short) holds 507 fluid ounces or 15 litres, 20 standard bottles or 120 servings of our favorite bubbly. This life-size Champagne bottle was named after Nebuchadnezzar II or Nebuchadnezzar the Great, king of Chaldeans. He lived from 605 to 562 BC and under his rule Babylon became the cultural center of the world. This bottle is a great choice for a holiday party or festive corporate event.

• The Solomon Bottle (18 L or 608 oz)

The Solomon bottle gets its name for a famous king of Israel, who was also the son of King David. This format holds 18 liters or 608 fluid ounces, which equated to 144 glasses or 24 standard bottles of Champagne. One of the greatest sizes of Champagne bottles, a Solomon makes for an awe-inspiring centerpiece at a wedding or wedding anniversary party with family and friends.

• The Sovereign Bottle (25 L or 845 oz)

This extremely rare format was first created in 1987 by the Taittinger Champagne House to celebrate the maiden voyage of the largest cruise ship of its day, named the Sovereign of the Seas. With a total volume of 25 liters or 845 fluid ounces, the Sovereign bottle holds 200 flutes of champagne or 35 standard bottles. A fantastic gift idea for the wine lover who has it all, if you can manage to find one.

• The Primat Bottle or Goliath Bottle (27 L or 913 oz)

We all know Goliath, the Philistine warrior defeated by young David in the Biblical story “David and Goliath.” But what you perhaps did not know is that this larger-than-life bottle holds 27 liters or 913 fluid ounces of champagne, which is equal to 216 flutes full or 25 standard bottles. Open a Primat bottle of Champagne at your next inauguration event or special ceremony.

• The Melchizedek Bottle or Melchisedech Bottle (30 L or 1,1013 oz)

And finally, the king of large formats and the largest bottle in the world: the Melchizedek or Melchisedech Bottle of Champagne, named after a very righteous priest and king whose life is detailed in the Old Testament. With a volume of 30 liters of 1,1013 fluid ounces, this bottle holds a whopping 240 glasses worth or 40 standard bottles of wine. 4 feet tall and weighing 100 pounds, this massive bottle is certainly not the easiest to transport, but its uncorking is a globally celebrated affair, talked about in the wine world for many days after. Today, this remarkable format is produced exclusively by one prestigious brand: the Drappier Champagne House.

So there you have it, from the smallest to the largest. Whether it is for a quiet night in by your lonesome or an extravagant affair straight out of The Great Gatsby, we are sure there is a champagne bottle size perfect for your sipping occasion.

Are you asking yourself “But where will I be able to find these champagnes near me?” Shop our extensive online selection or stop by our boutique in New York City. Our team of Champagne experts are ready to guide you toward the perfect bottle for your special occasion!