The Nebuchadnezzar is one of the family of large bottle sizes, notably in the Champagne and Bordeaux regions.
What is the capacity of a Nebuchadnezzar?
The capacity of a Nebuchadnezzar is 15 litres, the equivalent of 20 bottles of 75cl or 120 glasses of wine or champagne.
What does the name Nebuchadnezzar mean?
The name Nebuchadnezzar is of biblical origin, referring to Nebuchadnezzar II, known as "the Great", who ruled Babylon and laid siege to Jerusalem in 597.
Does the size of the bottle influence the quality of the wine?
The size of the bottle does indeed have an influence on the quality of the wine. The exchange of air between the cork and the wine is less in a large bottle than in a small one, which limits its oxidation. In addition, because of their large capacity, large bottles exude the complexity and aromatic palette of the wine.
What’s the best way to open a Nebuchadnezzar?
To open a Nebuchadnezzar, it is best to follow a few steps to ensure that the bottle is opened properly. Indeed, due to its size and capacity, the Nebuchadnezzar can, depending on the type of wine, be closed with a wire cage, a capsule or wax. In the case of a wire cage or a capsule, you can proceed as for a classic bottle. In the case of a wax-covered neck, after piercing the top of the waxed surface with your corkscrew, gently remove the cork by gradually removing the wax shavings so that they do not fall into the bottle after opening.
At what temperature should a Nebuchadnezzar be served?
A Nebuchadnezzar should ideally be served at a temperature of 16-18°C for a red wine. In the case of a champagne Nebuchadnezzar, due to its large capacity, this large format needs to be chilled longer than a classic bottle and will be less subject to rapid temperature variations. It can therefore be served at a temperature of 8-10°C.