Term (lat. "the large") for an oversized bottle with a volume of 1.5 litres or the contents of two normal bottles of 0.75 litres each. A bottle of approximately this size was created in France as early as the 17th century. It is considered ideal for a high quality wine because the bottle matures more slowly, which has a very positive effect on shelf life and longevity. There is also a double magnum with a volume of 3 litres (4 bottles of 0.75 litres each), which is also known as a Jeroboam. Magnums and double magnums are not only available in conventional bottle shapes, but also in the Bocksbeutel. In the early days of Formula 1 racing, a magnum champagne bottle was presented to the winner, who shook it and sprayed it into the crowd. Later, jeroboam bottles were used. See also lists under Bottles (all formats) and Wine vessels (all types, from antiquity to the present day).
I have great respect for the scope and quality of the wein.plus encyclopaedia. It is a unique place to go for crisp, sound information on terms from the world of wine.
Dr. Edgar Müller
Dozent, Önologe und Weinbauberater, Bad Kreuznach