Champagne Bottle Sizes: All 15 Names (2026)

How Many Champagne Bottle Sizes Are There?

There are 15 champagne bottle sizes in total, ranging from the 20 cl Quart (2 glasses) to the 30-litre Melchizedek (240 glasses). The three most popular sizes are the Quart (20 cl), the Standard (75 cl), and the Magnum (1.5 L). Champagne is the only French AOC with this many officially recognised bottle sizes, as designated by the official Comité Champagne (CIVC).

From Magnums to Methusalehs, there’s a huge variety of luxury Champagne bottle sizes available. Discover the different Champagne bottle names and how much of the sparkling stuff they contain!

Guide to Champagne Bottle Sizes

Oversized champagne bottles are fun for parties and special occasions. They can also be more cost effective than standard Champagne bottles. Bear in mind that large champagne bottles may be harder to transport than standard bottles, and need to be opened carefully.

A Jeroboam holds 3 liters (4 standard bottles) and stands roughly 17 to 19 inches (43 to 48 cm) tall with an approximate weight of 6 kg (13 lbs) full. A Champagne Methuselah holds 6 liters (8 standard bottles) and stands about 22 inches (56 cm) tall with a heavy total weight of around 12 kg (26 lbs) full.

Some wine experts believe that sparkling wine from bigger bottles isn’t as good. However, others believe that large Champagne bottles such as Magnums actually make for the best wine ageing conditions.

There are at least 14 sizes of champagne bottle. In fact, Champagne is the only French AOC (Appellation d’origine contrôlée) that has as many different wine bottle sizes.

If you include the piccolo, which is just 18.75 litres, that makes 15 bottle sizes in all. Piccolo means small in Italian and it contains the equivalent of one tulip Champagne glass.

Popular in Australia, the piccolo champagne bottle is not available in all countries. The Comité Champagne trade association in France does not include it in their list of Champagne bottle types.

What Are The Champagne Bottle Size Names?

Here is a list of official Champagne bottle sizes, from small to very big! The largest champagne bottles are harder to find in regular retail outlets.

Many of these large bottles of Champagne are made to order for special events and weddings. You can often get hold of these luxury Champagne bottle sizes by contacting the Champagne producers directly. It’s also worth asking if they can make a personalized Champagne label.

Originally, it was Bordeaux producers who started using names for larger wine bottles in the 17th century. The Champenois wine producers started to use them in the 20th century. 

The largest Champagne bottles were given names suggesting greatness. Quite a few of the larger sizes have names of biblical kings.

1. Quart (20 centiliters)

Also known as a quarter, this champagne bottle holds 2 flute glasses of Champagne.These mini champagne bottles are mainly sold for airplane flights, although you can also find the quarter bottle in some supermarkets.

Miniature luxury bottles yield higher margins per milliliter for brands and serve as effective trial or impulse-gifting items in airport boutiques.

2. Half-Bottle (37.5 centiliters)

Nicknamed “la fillette” or little girl and also known as a demie in French, the half bottle of Champagne is sometimes available in restaurants. It contains the equivalent of 3 flute Champagne glasses.

3. Medium (50 centiliters)

Also known as a pinte in French, the medium Champagne bottle is very rare. It amounts to 4 full Champagne glasses.

4. Standard Champagne Bottle (75 centileters)

Also known as the “champenoise”, a standard Champagne bottle contains 6 glasses of Champagne. It has sloping sides and an indentation on the bottom of the bottle.

Known as a punt, this concave dimple makes Champagne bottles stronger and able to resist the pressure of the bubbles within. It’s also handy when pouring if you place a thumb there.

5. Magnum (1.5 liters)

The word magnum originates from Latin and means great. A magnum of Champagne is the equivalent of 2 bottles of Champagne.

This gives 12 glass of Champagne. Magnums are considered to be ideal for aging the wine.

That’s because magnum bottles of Champagne have a lower ratio of air to liquid. This allows the wine to age more gradually. Indeed, research from the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne shows that magnum Champagne (1.5L) doubles the aging potential and bubble retention of standard bottles.

6. Jeroboam (3 liters)

Taking its name from a King of Israel who ruled from 931-920 BC, a Jeroboam provides 24 glasses of Champagne. The word Jeroboam means he increases the people.

Jeroboam ruled his kingdom for 22 years during the late 10th Century. This bottle is also known as a Double Magnum.

Containing the equivalent of 4 bottles of Champagne or six standard 750 ml bottles, Jeroboams are a popular choice for social gatherings. Everyone will want to pose with the bottle, which is 3 litres in size!

7. Rehoboam (4.5 liters)

This rare Champagne bottle size is named after the grandson of King David and son of King Solomon. In the 10th century BC, Rehoboam ruled the Kingdom of Judah. His name means “he who enlarges the people”.

Luxury Rehoboam Champagne is the equivalent of 6 Champagne bottles and 36 glasses of Champagne.

8. Methuselah (6 liters)

A symbol of longevity, Methuselah Champagne bottles take their name from this biblical patriarch. Methuselah was the oldest person to ever live, according to the Hebrew Bible.

It is claimed that Methuselah lived for 969 years and was 187 when he became the Father of Lamech. Also known as the Imperial and as Mathusalem in French, these large format bottles are the equivalent of 8 Champagne bottles. You can pour 48 glasses of champagne from a luxury Methuselah Champagne bottle.

9. Salmanazar (9 liters)

Named after Assyrian Kings who ruled from 1274-1245BC, Salmanazar champagne bottles hold the equivalent of 12 bottles or 72 glasses of Champagne.

10. Balthazar (12 liters)

A Balthazar contains the equivalent of 16 Champagne bottles or 96 Champagne glasses. It is named after the famous Arabian King Balthazar. He was the ruler of Saba, and purportedly one of the three wise men who presented the gift of myrhh to the baby Jesus.

11. Nebuchadnezzar (15 liters)

The most famous King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar reigned from the late 7th to the middle of the 6th century BC. A Nebuchadnezzar champagne bottle holds 15 liters, or 120 flute glasses.

Known in French as Nabuchodonosor, this bottle amounts to 20 bottles of Champagne or 120 flute glasses.

12. Solomon (18 liters)

The Solomon Champagne bottle, or Salomon in French, generally equals 24 bottles of standard Champagne or 144 glasses. However, it is sometimes defined as being a 20 or 21 liter Champagne bottle.

Solomon was a famous Israel King and son of David. According to the Hebrew Bible, he officiated in a dispute between two women who both claimed to be the mother of a baby.

In order to reveal the true mother, he suggested that they cut the baby in half. One woman agreed to that while the true mother offered to give the child to the other woman, to spare her baby’s life. Solomon gave the child to the selfless, real mother.

13. Sovereign (26.5 liters)

The Sovereign was created in 1988 by the champagne house Taittinger, to celebrate the launch of the cruise ship, Sovereign of the Seas. At the time, this cruise liner was the largest in the world.

Therefore, Sovereign was designed as the largest bottle of Champagne in the world. A Sovereign bottle of Champagne is the equivalent of 35 regular bottles and known in French as Souverain.

It equals 200 glasses of Champagne. Since then, 2 additional Champagne bottle sizes have surpassed the Sovereign in capacity, the Primat and the Melchizedek.

14. Primat (27 liters)

Weighing a mighty 65 kilos, the Primat Champagne bottle contains the equivalent of 36 regular Champagne bottles or 216 flute glasses.

It is also known as a Goliath Champagne bottle and measures 26 centimeters in diameter.

15. Melchizedek (30 liters)

This is the largest Champagne bottle size. The huge bottle equals 40 regular bottles of Champagne or 240 flute glasses. Also known as a Midas in French, this gigantic Champagne bottle weighs 45 kilos!

Champagne Bottle Sizes at a Glance

Here is a quick-reference table of all 15 champagne bottle sizes, from the petite Quart to the colossal Melchizedek. Use it to find the right bottle for your event at a glance.

How to Open and Serve Large-Format Champagne Bottles

Opening a large-format Champagne bottle is more dramatic than cracking a standard 75 cl, but it needs a steady hand. Here are a few practical pointers.

Always chill the bottle fully before serving. Large bottles take longer to reach the ideal serving temperature of 8-10°C, so allow extra time in the fridge or an ice bucket. Never attempt to open a warm bottle of sparkling wine.

For bottles from Jeroboam (3 L) upward, two people are strongly recommended: one to hold and tilt the bottle at roughly 45 degrees, and one to remove the cage and cork slowly while keeping a thumb on top. The increased volume means higher internal pressure, so control is everything.

Pouring is easiest when done into a tilted glass. For very large formats such as a Methuselah or Balthazar, a Champagne cradle or sommelier’s pouring stand makes the job far more manageable and much more theatrical. Contact your Champagne producer directly when ordering these sizes, as they can often advise on specialist serving equipment.

Key Takeaways

●There are 15 official champagne bottle sizes, ranging from 20 cl all the way up to 30 litres.

●A standard bottle (75 cl) pours 6 flute glasses; a Magnum (1.5 L) pours 12.

●Magnums are widely considered the best format for ageing Champagne, thanks to their lower air-to-liquid ratio.

●The largest Champagne bottle is the Melchizedek, holding 30 litres, filling 240 glasses, and weighing a whopping 45 kg.

●Most oversized bottles are made to order and are best sourced by contacting Champagne producers directly.

●Champagne is the only French AOC with this many officially recognised bottle sizes, a truly unique distinction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are 40 bottles of Champagne called?

40 bottles of Champagne is called a Melchizedek, also known as a Midas in French. It holds 30 litres and fills approximately 240 flute glasses. It is the largest officially recognised champagne bottle size.

How big is a 750 ml bottle of Champagne?

A standard 750 ml (75 cl) Champagne bottle, known as a “champenoise”, fills 6 flute glasses. It has distinctive sloping sides and a concave dimple (punt) on the base that strengthens the bottle against the internal pressure created by the bubbles within.

What is a 12-litre bottle of Champagne called?

A 12-litre bottle of Champagne is called a Balthazar. It holds the equivalent of 16 standard bottles and fills 96 flute glasses. It is named after the Arabian King Balthazar, said to be one of the three wise men who presented the gift of myrrh to the baby Jesus.

What is a Magnum of Champagne?

A Magnum holds 1.5 litres of Champagne, the equivalent of 2 standard bottles and 12 flute glasses. The word magnum means “great” in Latin. Magnums are widely considered the ideal format for ageing Champagne, because the lower ratio of air to liquid allows the wine to develop more gradually and reach its full potential.

What is the largest Champagne bottle size?

The largest Champagne bottle size is the Melchizedek, also called Midas in French. It holds 30 litres, equals 40 standard bottles, and pours 240 flute glasses. It weighs 45 kilos when full, you will definitely need help carrying this one to the party!

Why are large Champagne bottles named after biblical kings?

The tradition of naming large wine bottles after biblical kings began with Bordeaux producers in the 17th century. Champagne producers adopted the practice in the 20th century, choosing names that suggested greatness, power, and longevity to match the impressive scale of the bottles. Names like Jeroboam, Methuselah, Nebuchadnezzar, and Solomon all carry a sense of grandeur that perfectly suits an oversized bottle of luxury bubbly.

What is the most popular Champagne bottle size?

The most popular champagne bottle sizes are the Standard (75 cl), the Magnum (1.5 L), and the Quart (20 cl). The Standard is the everyday choice found in shops and restaurants worldwide. The Magnum is the go-to for parties and is considered the best size for ageing Champagne. The Quart is beloved for its convenience on flights and at casual gatherings.

Are large Champagne bottles better for the wine?

Many wine experts believe that large-format Champagne bottles, particularly Magnums, are actually better for the wine than standard bottles. The reason is that a bigger bottle has a lower ratio of air to liquid inside, which means the wine ages more slowly and develops more complexity and depth of flavour over time. So if you are cellaring Champagne for a special occasion, a Magnum is an excellent choice.

Related reading: Best Wine Regions in the World

Final Thoughts: Champagne Bottle Sizes

As you can see, there’s an impressive amount of different Champagne bottle sizes and volumes. With their unique sizes and distinctive shapes, Champagne bottles can add a touch of luxury to any occasion.

Not only can the various sizes accommodate different needs and tastes, they can also make a statement. Champagne wines are renowned as being among the most expensive wine in the world.

Understanding the different types of Champagne bottles is an important part of being an enlightened wine drinker. You now have all the information you need to select the right bottle size for your next gathering.

If this article has you thirsting for more knowledge on drinkable delights, take some time to check out our other articles about wine and related topics. Let the festivities begin by finding what type of Champagne bottle suits suiting you best! Cheers!

What is your favorite type of Champagne? Do you like your champagne neat or do you prefer champagne cocktails? One of our faves is an elderflower champagne recipe, so refreshing!

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