The rest of the world always razzes us Americans for being unsophisticated knuckle-draggers because instead of blindly migrating (i.e., government-mandated like everybody else) to the Metric system, we’ve stubbornly stayed with the British Imperial system as our baseline. Instead of meters, grams, and deciliters, we prefer our feet, ounces, and cups.
Introduction
Measurement systems are basic necessities, influencing everything from how we cook and the weights of our newborns to how we construct buildings. Two prominent systems of measurement are the British Imperial system and the Metric system. While the Metric system is widely adopted globally, the United States remains an outlier, favoring the British Imperial system.
The British Imperial System
The British Imperial system traces its roots to medieval England, evolving over centuries from various local and regional systems. By the early 19th century, it had been standardized in the British Empire, encompassing units such as feet, pounds, and gallons. This system was designed to serve the needs of commerce, agriculture, and daily life, with measurements that were easy to relate to everyday items. For instance, a “foot” was the approximate size of the standard man’s foot.
Standardization and Global Influence
In 1824, the British Weights and Measures Act standardized the British Imperial system, ensuring consistency across the Empire. As Britain expanded its influence, this system was adopted in its colonies, including the United States. Although technically, the US was no longer part of the Empire because Independence Day. But I digress. British Imperial system’s practicality and ease of use made it a staple.
The Metric System
The Metric system originated in France during the late 18th century, born from a desire for a consistent measurement standard. Based on the decimal system, it includes units such as meters, liters, and grams, all derived from natural constants like the Earth’s circumference and water properties.
In other words, magic!
America’s Preference for the British Imperial System
Despite the global shift toward the Metric system, the United States has maintained its adherence to the British system. This preference is rooted in tradition, practicality, and familiarity.
Americans have refused efforts to transition to the Metric system. The Metric Conversion Act of 1975 aimed to encourage metrication, but voluntary adoption and lack of enforcement led to minimal change. Besides, if the government tried to enforce this on Americans, let’s just say that there would be a lot of resistance!
Wine Lovers and the Metric System
Interestingly, one group of Americans has embraced the Metric system: wine lovers. The wine industry, with its roots in the European tradition, uses metric units for measurements, from hectares in the vineyard to bottling. Bottles are typically 750 milliliters, and wine production involves metric units for volume, weight, and temperature.
International Influence
Wine enthusiasts often engage with international markets, where the Metric system is standard. This exposure facilitates a natural and often unconscious adoption of metric units. Wine lovers develop an understanding and appreciation for metrics, navigating both systems with ease.
So Why Does This Matter?
Because wine only comes in metric measurements, even when made in America. Wine bottles come in a variety of sizes, each with its own unique name and capacity.
Standard Bottle Sizes
Let’s look at some of the bottle sizes. The rule of thumb is that the smaller the bottle, the shorter the aging period of the wine. The larger the bottle, the longer the wine can be aged. All of this assumes ideal provenance.
Note that not all wineries make all sizes of wine.
Split or Piccolo
The smallest size, known as a Split or Piccolo, holds 187.5 milliliters (ml). This is typically the size used for single servings of sparkling wines. Or found in four packs of “budget” wines.
Half Bottle or Demi
A Half Bottle, also called a Demi, contains 375 ml. It is a great option for enjoying wine without committing to a full bottle. Perfect for sharing with one person if you don’t want to drink a lot.
Standard Bottle
The most common wine bottle size is the Standard Bottle, which holds 750 ml. This size is typically sufficient for serving four to six glasses of wine. This is also ideal for two-ounce tasting pours for several people.
Larger Bottle Sizes
Magnum
A Magnum holds 1.5 liters, which is equivalent to two standard bottles. Magnums are often used for aging wine, as the larger volume slows the aging process. This is also the most popular of the larger-capacity wines.
Jeroboam (Double Magnum)
The Jeroboam size varies depending on whether it is used for sparkling or still wine. For sparkling wine, it holds 3 liters, equivalent to four standard bottles. For still wine, a Jeroboam refers to 4.5 liters, which is six standard bottles.
Rehoboam
Typically used for sparkling wines, a Rehoboam holds 4.5 liters, equivalent to six standard bottles.
Imperial or Methuselah
An Imperial, also known as a Methuselah, holds 6 liters of wine, which is eight standard bottles.
Salmanazar
A Salmanazar contains 9 liters of wine, equivalent to twelve standard bottles. This size is often seen at large celebrations and events. Named after an Assyrian king.
Balthazar
Holding 12 liters, a Balthazar is equivalent to sixteen standard bottles. It is named after one of the Three Wise Men.
Nebuchadnezzar
One of the largest sizes, a Nebuchadnezzar holds 15 liters, equivalent to twenty standard bottles. It is named after the Babylonian king.
Unique and Rare Sizes
While I’ve seen a Melchizedek at a big wine event (once), most of these are hard to find. Because of the expense involved, winemakers rarely produce these sizes in volume, if at all.
Canned wines (ew) are sold in 187ml, 250ml, and 375ml sizes. In other words, all wines are sold in metric fluid measures. No 12-ouncers here!
Solomon or Melchior
A Solomon bottle holds 18 liters of wine, equivalent to twenty-four standard bottles. Named after King Solomon, of course.
Sovereign
The Sovereign bottle size holds 25 liters of wine, which is thirty-three standard bottles.
Primat
Also known as a Goliath, the Primat bottle contains 27 liters of wine, equivalent to thirty-six standard bottles.
Melchizedek
Named after an early biblical figure, the Melchizedek, also known as the Midas, holds a jaw-dropping 30 liters of wine, or FORTY (!!) standard bottles. It is extremely rare and generally used for promotional events.
Others
For what it’s worth, there are about four more sizes that may or may not show up on any given chart. It’s crazy, I know.
Boxed wines are also sold in metric measurements, usually three to five-liter boxes. Canned wines (ew) are sold in 187ml, 250ml, and 375ml sizes. In other words, all wines are sold in metric fluid measures. No 12-ouncers here!
Conclusion
While the British Imperial system remains the preferred choice for most Americans, the Metric system has carved out a sizable (and often favored) niche among wine lovers.
Where else in the world can you serve a two-ounce tasting pour from a 750 ml bottle?
Oh. By the way, a hectare is equivalent to roughly two and a half acres. The more you know.
