Find out more about our large format wines (magnum, jeroboam and methuselah)
What is a magnum?
A magnum is a large-format bottle of wine, with a capacity of 1.5L. This represents 12 glasses of wine, or 2 traditional 75cl bottles. This bottle format originated in the 18th century, and its name is taken from the Latin word, which means "big". The magnum is popular for celebrations; wine lovers are delighted to be able to enjoy these impressive and easy to use bottles. Twice as large as a classic bottle, the magnum still has a neck the same size; this limits the oxidation of the wine once the bottle is opened.
What is a jeroboam?
The jeroboam has a variable capacity depending on the type of wine it contains. Thus, a jeroboam from Burgundy, Rhône and Champagne has a capacity of 3L (24 glasses or 4 classic bottles), while a jeroboam from Bordeaux has a capacity of 4.5L (36 glasses or 6 bottles). In Bordeaux, the 3L bottle is called a double magnum.
These large-format wine bottles are suitable for all types of wines, but especially red wines the need to lay down. Its name comes from the Bible - Jeroboam was a king of the northern Israel.
A jeroboam sized bottle remains quite manageable but is guaranteed to impress your guests. The ideal format for festive events, it can be used on all tables and can serve between 16 to 24 people .
How to successfully serve a jeroboam?
The opening of large format wine bottles is not the same as traditional red wine bottles, due to its large capacity. A jeroboam should be opened 2 to 3 hours before serving; this gives the wine time to aerate and reveal all of its aromas and characteristics.
Then there is the question of service... A 3L jeroboam weighs close to 3kg, and a 5L jeroboam can weigh up to 7kg. Fortunately, despite this rather high weight, serving by hand is still possible.
What is the shelf life of a jeroboam?
It may surprise you, but proportionally, the empty space between the wine and the base of the cork in a jeroboam is smaller than in a 75cl bottle. The oxidation of the wine is therefore much slower, as is the development of yeasts, bacteria and microbes.
As a result, a jeroboam of red, white or rosé wine has an extended storage potential , allowing wines to be kept for at least 10 years.
What is a Methuselah?
The Methuselah is a glass wine bottle with a capacity of 6 litres (48 glasses or 8 classic bottles). In Bordeaux, this bottle format is called 'Imperiale'.
The name derives from the Old Testament, where Methuselah was the oldest living person; the word Methuselah remains a symbol of longevity, even today.
A bottle of Methuselah is imposing, so it always makes a great impression at festive events and dinner parties. It is also a very popular gift to mark a special occasion; often, the celebrant is gifted a bottle of Methuselah from the vintage of this significant date (birth, marriage, etc.), which will then be opened several years later.
How to transport and serve a bottle of Methuselah?
A bottle of Methuselah can weigh up to 15kg. Service by hand therefore appears complicated. Fortunately, there is an accessory called a "cradle", on which the large-format bottle is positioned. All you have to do is tilt the cradle from bottom to top to pour the red, white, Champagne or rosé wine into the glass.
Without a cradle, it is then advisable to carefully pour the wine into a carafe, in order to facilitate the service.
As for the transport of a bottle of Methuselah, the weight is also a criterion to be taken into account, not to mention the ideal conditions of conservation. The bottles of Methuselah and all large formats are then installed in a wooden crate, and deliveries are made by a courier specialized in wine logistics. The bottles will not receive any shock and will be placed in the dark, and sheltered from humidity.
Does large-format wine retain its taste qualities?
In a magnum or in a larger container, the wine develops more freely. First of all, by its very volume, it has a better chance of possessing a greater share of the aromatic components that were previously in the barrel or tank.
But above all it will aerate more effectively during service since the surface of the wine in contact with the air will be much greater than it would be in the bottle. Its as effective as a decanter without having to do any extra dishes!
