Definition - What does Nebuchadnezzar mean?
A Nebuchadnezzar refers to the size of a wine bottle. This particular bottle is the largest available and holds 20 bottles of wine, which is around 3.96 gallons (15.0 liters). Its name comes from King Nebuchadnezzar II who was the most powerful and longest reigning monarch in the Neo-Babylonian Empire from 605 B.C.E. to 562 B.C.E.
WineFrog explains Nebuchadnezzar
Wine bottles range from holding 187ml (a Split), 375ml (half-bottle) or 750ml (the average wine bottle) of wine. Larger format wine bottles start at holding the equivalent of two wine bottles and go up to holding 20 normal-size wine bottles.
While normal-size wine bottles (750ml) are the most widely purchased, for some collectors large formats are appreciated. This is because wines age better and longer in large formats. So if there is a certain vintage which is expected to age with promise, some collectors may choose to purchase some 750ml formats as well as larger ones. However, not all wines are available in these types of formats, as the glass is very costly for the wineries.
What is also interesting about the large format bottles, beginning with Jeroboam, is that they are named after historical kings from around the world.
- Jeroboam - holds 4 750ml bottles
- Rehoboam - holds 6 750ml bottles
- Imperial - holds 8 750ml bottles. This one is not named after a king and is a Bordeaux-shaped bottle.
- Methuselah - holds 8 750ml bottles. It holds the same amount as the Imperial but is a Burgundy-shaped bottle, usually reserved for sparkling wines.
- Salamanzar - holds 12 750ml bottles
- Balthazar - holds 16 750ml bottles)
- Nebuchadnezzar - holds 20 750ml bottles