Polish up your MAGNUM collection

For the most part, great vintages in standard bottles of 750 milliliters have disappeared. However, we’ve assembled a cache of highly regarded wines in large formats. Forgive our boasting, but it’s a pretty amazing feat considering how collectible big bottles are.

And the advantages are….well….huge!

The primary benefit is, of course, that wines age better in large bottles. More wine in a container means less oxygen and sulfur dioxide in the bottle. This effect, in turn, helps the wine to age more slowly. Because the wine ages more gradually, it has a chance to develop more complexity. The thicker glass in large formats also helps to safeguard against temperature variations — the most critical factor in wine preservation and aging.

Common bottle sizes:
Standard – 750 milliliters
Magnum – 1.5 Liters. 2 bottles
Double Magnum or Jeroboam – 3.0 Liters. 4 bottles
Imperiale – 6 Liters. 8 bottles. Used for still wine.
Methuselah – 6 Liters. 8 bottles. Used for Champagne.
Salmanazar – 9 Liters. 12 bottles

Grandest bottle sizes:
Balthazar – 12 Liters. 16 bottles
Nebuchadnezzar – 15 Liters. 20 bottles
Melchior – 18 Liters. 24 bottles
Solomon – 20 Liters. 26 bottles. Typically for Champagne only.

As for the Biblical names associated with the various sizes, there is no definitive answer. One theory is that the old English word jorum, used to refer to a large drinking bowl, became linked with the biblical character Joram. Eventually the word Jeroboam evolved, denoting any large bowl, bottle or container for liquid. Once a Biblical reference was established, subsequent large bottles were also given Biblical names.

And in many ways, the names seem appropriate. For example Methusaleh (6 Liters – 8 bottles) is named after the Jewish King who lived a thousand years. A testament to the aging potential for wine in such a large bottle, perhaps?

Melchior (18 Liters – 24 bottles) was one of the Three Wise Men who presented gifts at Jesus’ nativity. Balthazar (12 Liters – 16 bottles) was also one of the Wise Men. However, another Balthazar ruled Babylonia. Does the name refer to that king? Undoubtedly, after consuming a Balthazar, many other associations might manifest. For now, we’ll leave it at that!

What about the cost of large formats versus a standard bottle? You’d think that since you’re buying in bulk  you’d save money, right? But that’s typically not the case with big bottles of wine. Magnums and Double Magnums are generally more expensive because of the cost of the over-sized bottles themselves.

Happily, we’ve been able to gather an impressive selection of well-priced large formats. And of course, we’re passing the savings on to you. Each bottle is a great investment, that will ultimately allow you to enjoy beautifully matured wines at increased value. We’ve even thrown in a few half-size bottles for those of you who just can’t wait and want to drink a vintage early. Voilà!

Unless otherwise indicated, a single bottle is available for each listing. To order, please write mthibaultwine@gmail.com or call 850-687-1370.