The Methuselah belongs to the family of large wine bottles, particularly in the regions of Burgundy, Champagne, Provence, the Rhône Valley and Trentino Alto Adige.
What is the capacity of a Methuselah?
The capacity of a Methuselah is 6 litres, the equivalent of 8 bottles of 75cl or 48 glasses of wine or glasses of champagne. In Bordeaux the format of wine bottles of this capacity is called Imperial.
What does the name Methuselah mean?
The name Methuselah is of biblical origin. Methuselah refers to the grandfather of Noah. He is said to have lived to be 969 years old and is said to have planted the first vines.
Does the size of the bottle influence the quality of the wine?
The size of the bottle does indeed have an influence on the quality of the wine. The exchange of air between the cork and the wine is less in a large bottle than in a small one, which limits its oxidisation. In addition, because of their large capacity, large bottles release the complexity and aromatic palette of the wine.
What is the best way to open a Methusaleh?
To open a Methuselah properly, it is best to follow a few steps to ensure that the bottle is properly opened. Because of its size and capacity, the Methuselah can, depending on the type of wine, be closed with a wire cage, a capsule or even wax. In the case of a wire cage or a capsule, you can proceed as for a classic bottle. In the case of a wax-covered neck, after piercing the top of the waxed surface with your corkscrew, gently remove the cork by progressively removing the wax shavings so that they do not fall into the bottle after opening.
At what temperature should a Methuselah be served?
A Methuselah can ideally be served at a temperature of 16-18°C for a red wine. In the case of a Methuselah champagne, due to its large capacity, this large format must be chilled for longer than a classic bottle and will be less subject to rapid temperature variations. It can therefore be served at a temperature of 8-10°C.
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