Go Big

Why get the big bottle? Is there any reason other than looking really cool at the party? Actually, yes!

Wine ages differently in different size vessels. Some of this is scientifically verifiable and well understood, and some of it is wonderfully mysterious. Aging begins early, during maceration and fermentation -- Kevin says even from the moment the grapes are picked. Red wines are loaded with tannins: thousands of different sized and shaped tannin species and similar color molecules. A major part of what we describe as ageing involves the getting-together of these tannin and color molecules. Generally, the small tannins contribute more bitterness and astringency, and the longer molecules contribute to a fuller body, and a silky, velvety mouth-feel. So as these molecules connect, larger molecules form and the wine softens. These are slow reactions that take place over years, and the parameters that guide how these reactions occur have a lot to do with oxygen. Winemakers are very careful to protect the wines from oxygen and ideally, wines get bottled completely void of oxygen, with only a trace amount in that little “air space” below the cork. Over time the dissolved oxygen in the wine gets involved, the trace amount of oxygen in the ullage space starts to mingle, the miniscule wisps of air that pass through the cork come to the party, and the miracle of bottle ageing is under way.

And with big bottles? The short answer is that the same amount of oxygen is in play in a small bottle as is in a large-format bottle, but the large bottle has a whole lot more wine to soak it up, so the ageing process happens much more gracefully. Large bottles seem to get better over a much longer period of time.

Of course, another reason people like big bottles is a bit more down to earth… There is the anticipation that it’s going to be good...you’ve been saving it, you've gathered that special group together and you take pause to think about it before you pull that cork...there is the ceremony, the expectant eyes all on you, and then, you start in gently with your cork pull, you’ve passed the point of no return, you’re committed, and there’s no going back! The satisfying pop of the pulled cork and the drift of the unctuous aromas...ahhhhh, so good!

Large format bottles also have really cool names. You can have fun dropping these titles on your friends. Below is a chart which shows the nomenclature for the most common wine bottles and their respective sizes.

Magnums and Double Magnums are by far the most popular and economical size for both aging and entertaining. The presentation of a large format bottle at a party, family gathering or special occasion can provide an extra element of excitement and ceremony. The Ehlers Estate 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5L will age gracefully through 2020. Go Big at your next gathering!

If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our winemaker, Kevin Morrisey     at kmorrisey@ehlersestate.com. Enjoy!