When selecting a special champagne or sparkling wine for a celebration, consider that there is both power and prestige in offering a magnum of celebratory bubbles, rather than the average-sized bottle. At 1.5 liters, or double the size of the traditional 750-ml bottle, a magnum is designed to serve 10 to 12 glasses and therefore is ideal for a larger gathering.
Originally crafted for French royalty to serve at events, banquets and celebrations, the larger format signals elegance, luxury and magnificence. In fact the word, magnum, is based on a Latin root, which means ‘great.’
There are other advantages to purchasing sparkling wine in a magnum. One benefit is that a magnum allows a wine to age at a slower rate because there is more volume and less oxygen. For sparkling wine, this can add complexity and lead to the development of finer bubbles over time.
In addition, sparkling wine aged in a magnum will often taste fresher and younger than wine in a 750-ml bottle because of the lower oxygen-to-volume ratio in the larger format. This also contributes to temperature stability, as it takes longer for a larger-format bottle to adjust to temperature changes.
But the major benefit of serving wine in a magnum is the wow factor that the larger format creates, along with the heightened sense of excitement and celebratory mood when a magnum of sparkling wine is popped (or sabered).
Six Sparkling Magnums to Consider for Your Celebration
This year, I’ve had the opportunity to evaluate a variety of Champagnes and sparkling wines. While many were excellent, not all are sold in magnum. Therefore, I reviewed my tasting notes and identified six that are available in magnum and are ideal for celebrations.
The list includes both complex, older vintage sparklers, which are more expensive, as well as more fruit-forward options that are more budget-friendly. Organized below from most to least expensive, they can be purchased online or at fine wine shops. Prices may vary based on your location.
#1) Armand De Brignac Ace Of Spade Brut Champagne 1.5L Magnum ($750)
If you really want to make an impression this holiday season, sharing a glittering gold bottle of the classic ‘Gold Brut’ from Armand de Brignac is an excellent choice.
This year marked my first opportunity to taste this special French Champagne, co-owned by Jay-Z and LVMH, and I was very impressed with its inviting nose of orange blossom, peach, citrus, and toast. On the palate, it delivers a creamy mousse of delicate bubbles that caress the mouth, along with rich, luxurious flavors of vanilla, honey, dried apple, and complex mineral and nutty notes. A very special treat for a memorable celebration. 93 points from Wine Spectator
#2) Roederer 2013 L’Ermitage Brut Rosé 1.5L Magnum ($260)
An exquisite sparkling rosé with great complexity and elegance, this wine is produced only in the best years. The term “L’Ermitage” denotes the top cuvée of Roederer Estate in Mendocino County, California. With a lovely salmon hue and thousands of tiny bubbles, it entices with aromas of red cherry, almonds, and a hint of white flowers. On the palate, it opens to complex notes of biscuit and dried apple, with a touch of salinity, before gliding into a long, refreshing finish. 95 points from Wine Enthusiast
I was impressed to learn that Roederer Estate has partnered with Tsar Nicoulai Caviar to create a special Caviar Gift Set ($169) that includes one ounce of caviar, two mother-of-pearl spoons, blinis, and crème fraîche. Given that their parent company, Louis Roederer in France, also produces Cristal—a sparkling wine originally created for the Russian tsars—this is a fitting tribute and a superb pairing with L’Ermitage Brut Rosé.
#3) Royal Cuvee 2015 Gloria Ferrer 1.5L Magnum ($200)
Named ‘Royal Cuvée’ because the first vintage (1987) was served to the King and Queen of Spain, this special magnum is made from grapes grown in the cool Carneros region of Sonoma County, California.
With a lovely golden color, this blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir was aged five years on the lees. It opens with a delicate nose of apple, lemon, and toasted nuts, followed by an expressive palate of red cherry, citrus, and a hint of yeasty bread. A consistent winner in blind wine competitions, finding an older vintage of Royal Cuvée is always a special experience. 94 points from Wine Spectator
#4) Iron Horse Russian River 2019 Cuvée 1.5L Magnum ($149)
A true crowd-pleaser, this vintage sparkling wine delights with elegant streaming bubbles and a rich nose of ripe pear and lemon meringue. On the palate, it offers full, luxurious notes of yellow apple, lemon zest, brioche, and a touch of spice. With the prestigious distinction of having been served at the historic Reagan–Gorbachev Summit Meetings in 1985, this wine from the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County is designed for toasting. 93 points from Wine Spectator
I recently had the honor of tasting this wine at Iron Horse Winery with Joy Sterling, owner and CEO, during a special magnum tasting she hosted to introduce visitors to the benefits of large-format bottles.
#5) J Vineyards 2012 Vintage Brut 1.5L Magnum ($130)
The “J” stands for Judy Jordan, the winery’s founder, whose vision was to showcase the elegance of sparkling wine from the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County and pair it with food. This vintage wine is ideal for a celebration featuring appetizers or a full meal. It displays aromas of almonds, dried pineapple, and citrus, and caresses the palate with tiny, scrubbing bubbles that deliver complex notes of toast, nuts, dried apple peel, and a hint of salinity. 93 points from Wine Enthusiast
I purchased this magnum at the winery after attending a sparkling wine and food pairing in their famous Bubble Room, which is resplendent with chandeliers crafted from hundreds of tiny glass bubbles.
#6) Domaine Chandon Réserve Pinot Noir Rosé 1.5L Magnum ($108)
The Réserve Pinot Noir Rosé is a more sophisticated version of the popular Domaine Chandon Brut Rosé. Aged for three years in bottle, compared to 18 months for the non-reserve version, this sparkling wine brims with aromas of bright cherry, dried strawberry, and apple, which carry through on the palate. Exuberant bubbles and a richer, more complex mouthfeel—along with added notes of toasted hazelnut and a hint of spice—make this wine highly celebratory and appealing to nearly every sparkling wine lover. 97 points from San Francisco International Wine Competition
I enjoyed this wine with Pauline L’Hôte, Director of Winemaking at Domaine Chandon in Napa Valley, and was impressed to learn that the winery is among the first in California to become Regenified Certified, achieving standards that go beyond traditional sustainability metrics.
What’s Bigger Than a Magnum?
For those who want to go even larger, wine producers occasionally release oversized bottles for charity auctions and collector cellars. These impressive formats are named after biblical references:
· Jeroboam (3 Liters)
· Methuselah/Imperial (6 Liters)
· Salmanazar (9 Liters)
· Balthazar (12 Liters)
· Nebuchadnezzar (15 Liters)
NOTE: This article was originally published in Forbes.com. Republished here with permission.
