Why are wine bottles 750 ml?

Wine bottles almost always come in the same size: 750 ml. But why this very specific measure? The answer combines history, practicality, and tradition.

From hand-blown glass

In the 18th and 19th centuries, wine bottles were made by glassblowers. The average volume that could be blown in a single breath was around 650–750 ml. This became the natural capacity for bottles.

Convenient for trade

When wine was exported to markets like the UK, a practical link was found with the imperial gallon (4.5 litres). Six bottles of 750 ml equalled one gallon, and twelve bottles equalled two gallons. This made commerce simpler.

Practical at the table

A 750 ml bottle serves around six standard glasses of wine — just the right amount for a meal or an evening among friends. It became not only a convenient trade measure but also a functional one for consumers.

A standard that endures

What began with craftsmanship and commerce has now become a worldwide standard. Even with half-bottles, magnums, and other formats, 750 ml remains the reference size for wine.