The Magnum is one of the family of large format wine bottles, particularly from the regions of Alsace, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Provence, the Rhône Valley, but also Tuscany and Trentino Alto Adige.
What is the capacity of a Magnum?
The capacity of a Magnum is 1.5 litres, the equivalent of two 75cl bottles or 12 glasses of wine or champagne.
What does the name Magnum mean?
The name Magnum means "big" in Latin.
How long has the Magnum been used?
The Magnum has been used since the end of the 18th century.
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 format than in a bottle, which limits its oxidisation. In addition, because of their large capacity, large bottles release the complexity and aromatic palette of the wine.
At what temperature should a Magnum be served?
The Magnum should ideally be served at a temperature of 16-18°C in the case of a red wine. For a Magnum of 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 should therefore be served at a temperature of 8-10°C.
