Custom wine racks from Rosehill Wine Cellars can include large format wine storage. (Photo: Rosehill Wine Cellars)
Large format wine bottles offer notable benefits over standard 750mL bottles, making large format wine storage important. The standard size, equal to about six glasses of wine, is by far and away the most commonly distributed wine. Perhaps surprisingly, the standard wine bottle is only one of at least 17 available sizes—3 being smaller than standard and the rest larger. Many wine collectors recognize that large format bottles of wine offer coveted benefits. Sizeable bottles, however, don’t fit on standard wine racks. With a custom wine cellar, you can choose wine racking that accommodates bottles of all sizes. The decision to make special wine storage considerations is duck soup for those who invest in large format bottles of wine for any of the following reasons and more.
1-The Wine Tastes Better
For various reasons, wine in large format bottles usually tastes better than wine stored in smaller counterparts. There is less oxygen relative to the volume of wine, for example. As a result, the wine oxidizes more slowly, resulting in a longer aging period and improved maturation. Overall wine stability and aroma are among the characteristics of the wine that are improved when properly stored in a large format bottle. The wine should be maintained in ideal cellar conditions, which can largely be achieved with a wine cellar cooling unit from a top manufacturer, such as WhisperKOOL, Koolspace, or Wine Guardian. Large format bottles are also more resistant to irregularities in temperature that may be caused by moving the wine to a different wine cellar or by power outages.
2-Communal Enjoyment
Large bottles of wine provide delightful “wow moments” at large gatherings, including anniversaries and weddings. Everyone gets to share in the experience of drinking from the same bottle containing wine that has aged gracefully and has better maturation than wine in smaller bottles. Bringing out a large format bottle of wine is an upgrade to any event.
3-Rare = Valuable
Small production historically increases wine value. There are usually very few large-format bottles of any vintage that wineries produce. Whether a Magnum bottle with double the standard volume or the massive Melchizedek, equal to 40 standard bottles of wine, large format bottles are rare. They are usually reserved for special occasions, such as a winery’s anniversary; charity auctions; special collectors; winery displays; or private collections, whether for proprietors or their family and friends. Although large format bottles of quality wine tend to be very expensive, they are also sometimes offered at prices friendlier to those less wealthy.
4- Showpieces
The wine in a large format bottle isn’t the only part of the bargain. The wine bottle itself can be considered a real treasure. It’s not unusual to see large bottles of wine on display in fine restaurants and as dinner table centerpieces. There are many craft and décor ideas for large format wine bottles on Pinterest, in which the bottles are used as gorgeous lamps, vases, candle holders, and much more.
Don’t Forget Large Format Wine Storage
Some consider the size of large format wine bottles a downside, due to potential storage challenges. Rosehill Wine Cellars specializes in wine cellar construction and can help with all wine racking needs, from custom wine racking to adaptable wine kits. Rosehill also offers wine cellar cooling units from all of the top manufacturers, such as Koolspace, Wine Guardian, and WhisperKOOL.
