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Translation missing: en.What size do you choose?: What size do you choose?

Large Format Wine BottlesPeople have been making wine for thousands of years.  The earliest evidence can be traced back to Georgia, where 8,000 year old wine jars were uncovered.
 

So where did the modern day wine bottles originate?
 
Wine was historically stored in vessels, casks or jars and it wasn’t until a few centuries ago that the standard 750ml bottle came about. The bottle known as the ‘fifth’, because it was originally 1/5 of a gallon, was said to be the suitable ration of wine with a man’s dinner. (These days I don’t think your health experts would recommend this amount!) It is also believed this was the largest size glass blowers could form in a single breath at the time.
 
However, history shows that on very special occasions wineries produced extraordinarily BIG bottles, and when I say big, I mean enormous!

So where did the names of these bottles come from?
 
With wine being such a huge part of our history and modern day lives, it is only fitting that we have named them after Biblical Kings from one of the oldest documents in history. Though the naming convention does vary amongst wine regions, here is a guide to the larger side of wine:
 
1. Magnums are 1.5 litres or double your standard size bottle. These are by far the most common size after your standard size bottle. These bottles are used for still and sparkling wine. Why would you buy a Magnum over two standard bottles? Magnums were designed for special occasions and honestly they are awesome!! Not to mention their extended ageing capabilities...
Come check out Northbridge Cellars growing range of Magnums.
 
2. Jeroboams, also known as a double magnum, are 3 litre bottles. Named after the first King of the Northern kingdom of Israel, after he revolted from the rest of the Kingdom. The name seems fitting as the first king of the new land, Jeroboam, was given to the first of the larger bottles. Still wine is normally reserved for this size bottle. However, red wines of 4.5 litres are also classified as Jeroboams. Expect for in the United States, due to regulations dictating that bottles must be in whole litres, meaning Jeroboams of red wine are therefore 5 litres.
 
3. Rehoboams, are 4.5 litre bottles or 6 standard bottles. This bottle was named after the son of Solomon, Rehoboam. He ruled as king after the death of his father. This bottle is typically used for sparkling wines, especially in Champagne. 
 
4. Methuselahs, are 6 litre bottles or 8 standard bottles. It was named  after the oldest man in the bible, Methuselah who lived to be 969, because of the time it would take a bottle of this size to age. This bottle is used to hold wine from Bordeaux and is also known as the Imperial.
 
5. Salmanazar, are 9 litre bottles and to put this into perspective equates to a full case of wine. Named after the Assyrian King, he was known for his role in the last conquest of Israel. He was responsible for deporting many Israelites from the land.
 
6. Balthazar or Belshazzar, are 12 litre bottles or 16 standard bottles. There are two possible reasons for the naming of this bottle. I am going to go with Belshazzar, from the book of Daniel. He held a feast at the temple while his city was under siege, as he was a huge fan of wine. In honour of his love for wine, I believe he deserves to have a bottle named after him!
 
7. Nebuchadnezzar are 15 litre bottles or the equivalent of 20 standard bottles. Named after the man who constructed the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and saw to the destruction of Solomon’s Temple. He is known for dreaming about his own downfall along with temporarily losing his sanity after bragging too much. Personally, I have never come across a bottle this size but Benji at Northbridge Cellars has. His family vineyard in Bordeaux Chateau Pontac-Monplaisir once produced one of these amazing bottles. It required two corkscrews to get the bottle open, but I hear it was well worth the effort.
 
8. Solomon, this size is debatable as some sources say 18 litres, while others say 20 litres, but they both agree it's really big and reserved for Champagne. Named after the King of Israel and the son of David, Solomon.
 
9. Primat or Goliath, are 27 litres or 36 standard bottles. This size bottle is exceptionally rare and again reserved for Champagne. Commonly referred to as Primat, I personally prefer Goliath, the giant warrior who was defeated by David. A giant name for a giant bottle!
 
10. Midas, as the King of all Kings, this size has rightfully earned its name. This bottle is 30 litres and holds 40 standard bottles of wine. Midas is known for his greed and being granted the wish to turn everything he touched to gold. It seems fitting for a bottle of this size, which is extremely rare and tremendously expensive.