Bigger Is Better: The Science Behind Large-Format Wines

Wine bottles, like bodies, come in all shapes and sizes. Adorable splits, Mosels and, of course, the standard bottle are all wonderful options to get wine from the vineyard to the table. And then, there are the large ones — those special bottles that turn heads and bring a certain kind of air to the atmosphere.

“ I particularly like large format bottles, because I think it's super fun. It's more festive ,” says Dr. Laura Catena, managing director of Bodega Catena Zapata and Catena Institute of Wine founder and board member.

But Magnums, Jeroboams and beyond aren’t just there to look flashy at parties. These large-format bottles actually bring an added dimension to wine, especially those that are intended to age. Larger formats are designed to age a wine more gracefully, giving it increased time to play and maintaining its integrity.

“ Wines always age more gracefully in large formats so you should expect the wine to be fresher and more expressive. There are only benefits when we consider large formats. There are literally zero downsides ,” says Carlton McCoy, Jr. MS, CEO, Lawrence Wine Estates.

Why is this? Experts explain it is because with a larger format wine, there is less oxygen getting in through the cork versus impacting the amount of wine in the bottle. “ The theory goes that in a larger bottle, you have a larger amount of wine with less oxygen going into the cork ,” says Catena. That’s not the only reason large-format wines taste better. Kori Butler, senior winemaker for Orin Swift Cellars, notes that larger format wines benefit from a reduction in temperature swings, making them more apt to stay delicious even if you don’t have a luxury wine cellar.

“ Large formats tend to have thicker glass, so you likely have less temperature fluctuation. There is also less oxygen ingress due to the larger wine volume to cork surface ratio ,” she says.

But, what impact does that have on different wines? We break it down.

Red Wines Hold Up

Catena explains that with a red wine, specifically a Malbec or Pinot Noir, a larger bottle allows the wine to taste younger than its age and keeps those fresh, fruity flavors alive and well.

“ The flavors will be a little less aged, which means less mushroomy, and will have less tertiary aromas ,” she explains. “ But, you get an older wine which has that kind of smoothness of the older wine, but with some of the freshness of a younger wine .

While large-format wines may seem like a win-win for sippers and collectors, Niki Williams, Cakebread Cellars’ winemaker, explains that patience is a virtue with larger wines, and if you’re looking to open a bottle right away, a standard size is most likely best.

“ Reds are slower aging, meaning you will probably want to practice patience with age-worthy wines in large formats. A standard bottle of the same wine may be in its prime, but the large format version likely needs more time to reach that same spot,” she explains .

A tip from Butler - do not sleep on the decanter. She explains that a younger wine may need some time to fully blossom once opened, even if it's from a larger bottle.

“ If the wine is relatively young, it may need a decant to open up a bit, as the wine might be a little less mature than from a standard bottle ,” says Butler.

Williams echoes this sentiment, adding, “ To see if the wine will benefit from a chance to breathe, pour a small glass before your guests arrive and give it a swirl, sniff, and taste and then check back after 15 minutes or so. If the wine has opened up with more aromas and flavors, breathing is beneficial. If the wine seems more muted and less expressive, it’s better to skip that breather ."

Rosé (And White Wine) All Day The Large Format Way

Large format bottles also benefit the flavor profile and structure of rosé. This type of wine is known for its freshness, zest, easy drinking and universal food pairing, and pouring rosé from a large format bottle is bound to be a treat for all who partake. According to Paul Chevalier, vice president and global marketing director at Château d'Esclans, the freshness of the rosé will reall shine when poured from a larger bottle.

“ The rosé served from a magnum, for example, will have less oxidation and have more youth and fresh fruit characteristics ,” says Chevalier.

According to Bertus van Zyl, lead winemaker at James Cole Winery, those looking to yes way rosé out of a bigger bottle can expect to taste a heightened intensity on the fruit flavors as well as more pronounced floral notes.

The same science behind sipping rosé works for white wines as well - they tend to stay fresher for longer due to the

“ Freshness is attractive for white wine ,” says Catena. “ I'd say large formats for white wines, which are kind of unusual, would be really great .” She explains that while a little oxidation in a white wine (like a Chardonnay) can add character, if a sipper prefers a bottle that has a more crisp taste, then a large format bottle is the way to go.

However, says Williams, large vessel bottles of these wines do not have to be - and should not be - stored and aged the way red should be. In fact, she explains that opening these a bit faster is the way to go in order to catch it at maximum freshness and flavor.

“ White and rosé large formats stay fresher for longer than standard bottles, but they still age more quickly than reds. So don’t wait too long to share these bottles with friends ,” she says.

Champagne and other Sparkling Wines

Let’s be real, a magnum or jerobaum of Champagne always makes any occasion feel like a party. But, serving from one of these large format bottles is going to be the best way to enjoy this sparkling sipper, says Mathieu Roland-Billecart, CEO, Champagne Billecart-Salmon.

“ Large formats reduce the pace of oxidation and hence manage to maintain the freshness of the wines for longer. That also gives the wine a better life expectancy for very long aging ,” he says, noting that Champagne stored in larger bottles can last 20 years if stored properly.

According to Tattainger, using larger format bottles brings out the best of both worlds as far as flavors go with Champagne. These big bottles bring with it the ability to age the wine longer without exposing it to additional oxygen, allowing for both a toasty flavor from extra time on the lees, as well as an overall freshness that creates a zesty, crisp sip in every glass.

Raphaël Heripret, marketing and public relations manager for Champagne Henriot, noted that it’s just not about the flavor and complexity with Champagne when served and stored in a larger bottle, either. It actually allowes for continued effervescense as well as a more creamy mouthfeel, the very essence of what makes sparklers extra special.

“ Larger bottles can maintain higher pressure, influencing the intensity and persistence of bubbles. This can contribute to a different mouthfeel compared to Champagne from standard-sized bottles. The larger volume of wine in the bottle allows for a more gradual exchange of gases, contributing to a smoother and more integrated taste ,” he says.

He adds that agining in large-format bottles also adds to the experience of sipping Champagne through a completely different sense - sense of smell. Full, luxurious aromas are developed within these larger bottles, which allows for a completely different sipping experience than one from a smaller vessel.

“ The perception that Champagne tastes better from a large-format bottle is often associated with the slower aging process and the development of more complex aromas ,” he says.

But, whatever wine you’re pouring, if it’s large format, experts agree that opening the bottle in front of a crowd is the best party trick in the book.