Definition: Volume measurements and conversion table

1 hectolitre 100 l 26.4 gallons

1 litre 0.264 gallons

1 barrel 225 to 228 l 59.4 to 60.19 gallons

1 tonne 900 l 4 barrels

1 quart 0.185 to 0.20 l 0.0488 to 0.0528 gallons

1 pint 0.375 l 0.099 gallon

1 désirée 0.5 l 0.132 gallon

1 clavelin (Jura) 0.62 l 1.636 gallons

1 bottle 0.75 l 0.198 gallon

1 magnum 1.5 l 2 bottles

1 Marie-Jeanne 2.25 l 3 bottles

1 double magnum (Bx) or

Jeroboam (except Bx) 3 l 4 bottles

1 Rehoboam or

Jeroboam (Bx) 4.5 l 6 bottles

1 Methuselah (Bx =

imperial) 6 l 8 bottles

1 salmanazar 9 l 12 bottles

1 Balthazar 12 l 16 bottles

1 Nebuchadnezzar 15 l 15 bottles

1 Melchior or Solomon 18 l 24 bottles

N.B.: Regional traditions make it difficult to establish a completely accurate table. For example, the volume of a barrel/piece varies from 225 l in Bordeaux, 228 l in Burgundy, 216 l in Beaujolais and 215 l in Mâconnais. For very large bottles, starting with the Nabuchodonosor, the names are often fanciful names given by the manufacturer, such as the 26-litre Primato (34.66 bottles) and the 30-litre Melkissade (40 bottles). The record holder, Maximus, commissioned in 2004 by the Morton Steak House chain in the USA, contains 130 litres (173 bottles) of Beringer Vineyard Private Reserve 2001. It measures 1.37 m in height, 1.38 m in circumference and 43.6 cm in diameter. Empty weight 68 kg - full weight 198 kg. It was produced by Kavalier Glass Works, Sazawa, Czech Republic. See also: large containers.