Imagine starting your party off with a large format magnum bottle instead of the standard 750ml. This would be the highlight of the evening!
The bigger the bottle, the more enjoyable the wine will be.
What is special about magnum bottles, and why would you want to buy one?
What is the difference between large format bottles?
This article will explain what a magnum is, why they’re a good choice, the different sizes of wine bottles, and a few must-have magnums. We will also explain why magnum wines are a great investment and how to do it the smartest way (by using Vinovest).
What is a Magnum Wine Bottle?
Magnum (Latin for ‘large’) is a 1.5-liter wine bottle — double the size of a standard bottle. A magnum and any bottle size larger than it is called a large format wine bottle. Magnum is the next largest bottle size after the standard 750ml bottle.
Winemakers experimented with various wine bottle sizes after the cork was found in the mid-17th century. Magnum was the first bottle size to be produced when the idea for large bottles was born.
Magnum bottles are not produced for all vintages and wines. Large format bottles are usually reserved for wines and vintages of exceptional quality.
Magnum bottles are rare because they are expensive to make.
If you’re looking to purchase a magnum or any other large format from a retailer, it is best to make a special request, as they may not have them on hand due to storage and display issues.
Let’s look at why you should pick up a magnum wine bottle.
Magnum Wine Bottles: 8 Reasons Why You Should Buy One
There are several reasons to add a Magnum bottle to your collection.
If you choose a large format bottle, it will be a memorable party. This is especially true if your magnum is Brut Champagne or a sparkling Wine.
There’s enough wine for everyone if you have 5-10 guests.
The wine will taste better if you let it age well.
Magnum bottles are ideal for aging because they have a slower oxidation rate and preserve the wine for a longer period.
When wine is bottled, it has a small amount of oxygen on top. This helps the wine age and develop over time.
The size is the same for a magnum as it is for a regular bottle. It has twice the amount of wine that is exposed to oxygen. The slower the oxidation, the lower the oxygen content per ml. This gives magnum bottles more longevity.
Due to the slower maturation process, magnums are released later than 750mls. Consumers will be able to get older wines that are not vintage and are in better condition, with more complex flavors and aromas.
You’ll get a better taste when you pop the cork!
Great for Champagne Lovers
You can make a show-stopper by putting Champagne or any other sparkling wine in a bigger bottle.
Magnum bottles are a great way to age wines that don’t usually age well. For example, Champagne or White Wine. Magnum bottles allow Champagne to maintain the tension between sugar, fruit, and acidity.
Exclusive Quality
When a winemaker releases magnum bottles, they do so because they truly believe that the wine’s quality is exceptional.
Due to its exceptional quality, the Salon Champagne bottled 2008 Cuvee Brut Le Mesnil” is exclusively in magnums.
More Durable
Magnum bottles are stronger than their counterparts of 750ml. The thicker and heavier glass in the larger bottles absorbs vibrations and protects wine from temperature changes and harsh lighting. This results in a more rounded, fresh wine.
Creates attractive gifting options
The gift to get the party started is a magnum-sized bottle of wine. You’ll be the star of the party when you arrive with a magnum bottle!
Eco-Friendly Alternative
Magnum bottles require less packaging and glass per milliliter than standard bottles.
It reduces the overall carbon footprint of their packaging and makes it a more environmentally friendly option.
High Priced but More Value for Money
The price of magnums is higher than that of standard bottles.
Magnums of young Bordeaux Vintages can be more affordable than smaller bottles due to the demand for 750ml bottles.
Here is an insider’s tip: The tasting rooms can be a great way to get magnum wines at a discount rate, as many wineries release back vintages or “library” wine without increasing the price.
You can also buy sparkling wine or Champagne in magnum bottles, store it for a couple of years, and enjoy the quality of vintage wines at half their price.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of magnum bottles as an investment?
Magnum Bottles – A Good Investment
Magnum wine ages better than wine in a standard bottle, making it great for long-term wine cellar storage.
Wineries that want to enhance their prestige produce larger bottles of wine. Some wineries know that collectors are willing to pay any amount for a larger bottle.
In 2018, for example, the prestige Champagne cuvee Piper Heidsieck’s Rare Le Secret High Jewellery Edition came out in 10 magnum-sized bottles. The wine was aged in a cellar 20 years prior to release. Each magnum bottle was priced between $100,000 and $150,000.
Demand for larger bottles is declining. The bottles are made in small numbers, and therefore, they are hard to find.
Magnum bottles will likely be more expensive.
You’ll pay a large commission and have to wait for an extensive procedure to verify authenticity if you purchase one from an auction house. Your large format bottle is going to take a lot longer to buy than smaller bottles.
At a Zachys 2020 auction in London, 1.5L bottles from the 1979 Henri Jayer Richebourg Grand Cru and 1990 Domaine Georges & Christophe Roumier Musigny Grand Cru were sold for $65,580.
A magnum of 1982, Henri Jayer Richebourg, sold for $120 853 at a Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction.
The final decision on whether to invest in a magnum bottle of wine will depend upon the vintage, producer, and where you can locate it.
Here’s a seductive wine with a bouquet of creme de cassis, blackberry, cherry, and floral notes. This full-bodied wine has polished tannins and a long finish. The blend consists of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc.
1973 Chateau Lafite Rothschild Red Bordeaux, Pauillac, France ($1,308)
This wine has a delicious nose of roses and blackberry notes. On the palate are notes of raspberry and cassis with balanced acidity and excellent length. This red blend consists of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot.
2006 Harlan Estate, Napa Valley, USA ($1,998)
This ruby-hued wine has a vibrant nose of blueberry, blackberry, and cassis notes. The wine also has an aroma of black pepper, tobacco, and spice, accompanied by a fantastic length.
2015 Chateau Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan, France ($1,689)
Here’s a red wine with hints of red fruit, black cherry, cassis, and clove on the nose. The palate has a flavor of cocoa beans, fruit, and floral notes. The wine has fine tannins and firm acidity that rounds it off elegantly.