Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, planning a big event, or ordering at a restaurant; knowing how many glasses of wine come from a bottle can be surprisingly useful. From UK legal measurements to different bottle sizes, this guide will break down everything you need to know. Plus, we’ll offer some tips for party planning and explore why wine bottles are the sizes they are.
In the UK, a standard glass of wine is typically measured in 125ml or 175ml servings. These are the two common sizes found in most pubs and restaurants, with the 125ml measure being the legal ‘small’ option. A bottle of wine holds 750ml, so depending on your pour size, you’ll get between three and six glasses out of it:
125ml pour: You’ll get 6 glasses of wine.
175ml pour: You’ll get around 4 to 5 glasses of wine.
250ml pour: You’ll get around 3 glasses of wine.
At home, serving sizes can vary. For those who like to keep it simple, using a 175ml glass will give you roughly four servings per bottle, which is perfect for a casual dinner or a relaxed evening with friends. A great tip when pouring for the table is to start with a smaller pour, and top up as required – not only does this help keep your wine at optimal temperature, but allows for everyone's varying tastes and preferences when it comes to consumption.
Wine bottles come in a variety of sizes beyond the standard 750ml, ranging from smaller ‘one-person’ bottles like you might get on a train journey, to much larger formats that are perfect for celebrations. Here’s a breakdown of the most common sizes and how many glasses of wine you can expect from each:
Miniature (187.5ml): A single-serve bottle, perfect for one small glass of wine.
Half bottle (375ml): Great for a couple of glasses, this size provides around 2 glasses.
Standard bottle (750ml): A standard bottle gives you 4 to 6 glasses, depending on your pour.
Magnum (1.5L): Equivalent to two standard bottles, a magnum pours 8 to 12 glasses—ideal for parties or events.
Jeroboam (3L): Four bottles’ worth of wine, offering 16 to 24 glasses, excellent for large gatherings.
There are even larger formats such as the Rehoboam (4.5L) or Nebuchadnezzar (15L), but those are typically reserved for grand celebrations or special occasions.
The question of why a wine bottle holds 750ml has several possible answers, but a key theory involves the ratio of wine barrels to bottles. Traditionally, a wine barrel (usually 225 litres) would produce approximately 300 bottles of 750ml wine. This size was practical both for glass-blowing techniques and for trade, as it made it easy to calculate quantities for shipment.
Interestingly, the 750ml bottle size also allowed for straightforward conversion into cases of 12 bottles, which became a standard unit for export. This helped streamline international trade, especially in Europe and the Americas.
Additionally, the volume was seen as the perfect amount of wine for small groups – enough for four to six people to share, with the contents able to be consumed without worrying about spoilage.
If you're planning a party or event, determining how much wine to buy can feel tricky. A good rule of thumb is to assume each guest will drink around 1 to 2 glasses per hour. So, for a 4-hour party with 10 guests, you’d need about 10 to 20 glasses of wine – roughly 3 to 5 bottles.
Of course, you should consider the type of event and your guests' preferences. For a laid-back gathering, some may sip more slowly, while a festive party might see glasses refilled more often. It’s always wise to buy a little more wine than you think you’ll need – leftovers are never wasted!
To make planning easier, don’t forget to use our nifty Majestic Drinks Calculator. Just input your number of guests, event length, and the types of drinks you’re serving, and we’ll provide the ideal quantities to ensure you’re well stocked.
