The Solomon (or Salomon in French) is one of the group of 16 bottle sizes that can be found in Champagne.
What is the capacity of a Solomon of champagne?
The capacity of a Salomon of champagne is 18 litres, the equivalent of 24 75cl bottles or 144 glasses of champagne.
Only the Magnum and Jeroboam champagne bottles have been aged in their original bottle. Bottles of champagne with a capacity of more than 3 litres are first aged in bottle and then transferred to the final bottle after development.
Where does the name Solomon come from?
The name of Solomon is Biblical in origin, referring to a King of Israel.
Does the size of the bottle have an influence on 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 being less in a large format than in a bottle, this limits its oxidation. In addition, because of their large volumes, the large formats exude the complexity and aromatic palette of the wine.
How to properly open a Solomon of champagne?
To properly open a Solomon of champagne, given that it is held in place by a wire cage, you must turn the bottle around the cork and not the other way around in order to preserve the bubbles and the flavour which give a good champagne its charm. Carefully then remove the cork and serve in a glass tilted at 45°. A cork removed too quickly causes a foamy jet to spurt out. This “stacking” phenomenon is due to an excessive concentration of bubbles. You can also saber the Solomon of champagne by breaking its neck with a knife or other sharp object. The shock wave, combined with the pressure of the wine in the bottle, ejects the cork and the wire cage.
At what temperature should you serve a Salomon of champagne?
A Solomon of champagne should be served ideally at a temperature of 8-10°C. Due to its large capacity, this large format must be refreshed longer than a classic bottle, and will be less subject to rapid temperature variations.
