Believe it or not, measuring how many glasses are in a bottle of wine is an exact science. If you like filling your glass to whatever level you are in the mood for, this fact may be unwelcome – but there is an upside. It makes planning a social event way easier. So, how many glasses of wine in a bottle are there?
In the world of wine, there are nearly 20 different bottle sizes ranging from a Split to a Midas. While the story behind this array of bottle sizes is a fascinating one, the bottle we are interested in is the Standard, a 750 ml bottle that we enjoy and share wine from most of the time.
From a Standard, you get five 150ml glasses of wine. That is a nice, easy number that makes it simple to do the math for your gathering. This standard serving size was determined by the United States Department of Agriculture. This equates to 25 ounces of wine in a whole Standard bottle, and 5 ounces in a standard serving.
Wine Glass Size vs. Serving Size
The size of a wine glass does not exactly reflect a standard serving. While a standard pour is 5 ounces, wine glasses are typically made to be able to hold anywhere from 8 ounces to 20 ounces of wine.
There is some enological reasoning behind all of this. Whether you are solo sipping or hosting a gathering, you want maximum enjoyment from your wine. When it only fills part of the glass, there is room for its special aromas and flavors to unfurl.
However, you can divide a 750ml bottle into bigger servings if you prefer: four glasses of wine come out at 6 ounces each while a Standard bottle will give you three large eight-and-a-half ounce glasses. Just remember that some space in the glass enhances your drinking experience.
It is also worth noting that some sweet wines like Tokaj and Sauternes can come in smaller bottles than the Standard. Simply pick the glass serving measurement that suits you and factor this into your calculations for the overall supply you need.
How Much Alcohol Is in a Bottle of Wine?
The amount of alcohol in wine depends on the specific wine in question. The average alcohol by volume (ABV) in wine can fall anywhere between 5% and 25%. ABV is a metric that indicates what percentage of the drink’s total volume is pure alcohol. As such, if we were to take a standard 750 ml bottle that contained a wine with an ABV of 10%, we could infer that the bottle contains 75 ml of pure alcohol in total.
How Much Alcohol Is in a Glass of Wine?
Working off of our previous example, a standard glass of wine containing a wine with a 10% ABV would contain 15 ml of pure alcohol. This number can be calculated by determining the alcohol content of a Standard bottle of wine and dividing it by five. Or, conversely, if you determine the alcohol content of a 5-ounce glass, you can multiply it by five to find the total alcohol content of a full Standard bottle.
One drink for the average woman and two drinks for the average man in one day is considered moderate alcohol consumption. As such, it is important to savor slowly and moderately when you are sampling different wines.
How Many Glasses Are There in a Case of Wine?
Speaking of overall supply, whether you are getting a stock of wine to replenish your wine rack or cellar, or you are holding a party, you are likely thinking in terms of more than two or three bottles.
This leads to the question of how many bottles are in a case of wine. Wine cases generally come with three flexible capacities: three-bottle, six-bottle, and twelve-bottle cases. If you are having a dinner party, you might want a full twelve-bottle case of reds, whites, or a mix of both, and a three-bottle case of sweet wines to go with dessert. On the other hand, if you are celebrating an important milestone such as an anniversary or a success like a college graduation, a six or twelve-case of bubbly will flow nicely.
While three, six, and twelve-bottle cases are the norm, it is not out of the question to get a single bottle box. This will fit the bill if you want to order a very special bottle to sample or savor.
How Much Wine Should I Buy for a Party?
When you are arranging a dinner or party, you have enough stress without blindly guessing how much wine you need for your guests. Probably the best approach is to assume most people will drink between two and three glasses each over the course of an evening. If you expect your guests to drink a little more than average, you may even want to estimate four glasses per guest.
This is especially true for dinner parties if you plan to serve sparkling, red, white, and sweet wine to match each course. Count your heads, calculate how many glasses that means in total, and make sure you have a little more wine in stock than you need so you are covered. You can always put any extra aside for your next celebration or for your growing collection.
Working out how much wine is in a bottle and case is clear cut. It all depends on what you are ordering your wine for and how much you need. Just remember the glass measurement guide, do some quickmath, and you will be good to go.
