Choosing Winter Wine Bottle Sizes: A Quick Host Guide
WINTER POURS AND BOTTLE MATH Rich stews, roaring fireplaces, and long chats call for bottles that match the pace of the season. Getting capacity right means fewer chilly restock runs and zero half-empty leftovers. KNOW THE ANCHORS - 187 ml split: one generous flute of Prosecco or a single spritz. - 375 ml half: two solid glasses—perfect for a weeknight roast. - 750 ml standard: five pours; still the workhorse for mixed gatherings. - 1.5 L magnum: ten pours that stay warmer inside one bottle than two separate 750s. WHEN TO DOWNSIZE Snowstorm cut the guest list? Reach for halves or splits. They guard freshness, curb waste, and let each course shine with its own pairing. WHEN TO SUPER-SIZE Family hunkering down all weekend or batching mulled wine? A magnum of hearty Cabernet or a liter of rye keeps the pot simmering without constant uncorking. STORAGE SMARTS Keep reds near 60 °F and whites near 45 °F; quick temperature swings mute aromatics. If delivery is on the way, insulated packaging helps bottles arrive cellar-cool even in single-digit weather. Choosing the format first lets menus—and moments—unfold at winter’s slower, cozier tempo.
