Half Bottles - The Perfect Size

For many, half bottles are the perfect bottle size. They are great for enjoying fine wine at dinner and for giving as gifts.

Why Choose Half Bottles?

With roughly two glasses of wine in each bottle, there is plenty for one or two people to enjoy. The smaller size (375 ml) suits many people who aren't able to finish a standard 750 ml bottle in a single sitting, which matters when you are opening a fine wine. Or, as we like to do, you can use half bottles as a way to sample several different wines from around the world at one time.

A half bottle costs less than a full bottle of the same wine, which makes it an easier way to try a famous label. Keep in mind, though, that half bottles are often priced a little higher per ounce than standard bottles, because the costs of bottling and handling are much the same for both sizes.

How Half Bottles Age

Wine in smaller bottles generally matures faster than the same wine in a standard 750 ml bottle. A common explanation is that a half bottle has more air and cork surface relative to the amount of wine inside. The difference depends on the wine, the closure and how the bottle has been stored, so it is a rule of thumb rather than a guarantee: an older vintage in half bottle may simply be further along than the same wine in a full bottle, while a magnum usually develops more slowly. For more on formats, see our guide to wine bottle sizes and their names.

Half Bottles as Gifts

Half bottles also make the perfect gift for your family or friends. You can share some of the world's finest wines without the cost of a full bottle, and their small size makes them convenient for passing out to party guests or tucking into a stocking.

Shop Half Bottles

We have a large selection to choose from, including well-known labels from Bordeaux, Sauternes, Burgundy and Champagne. Browse our current half bottle selection. If you are a fine wine enthusiast, you are sure to find lots of great options.

We really enjoy them and we hope you do too!