There are some instances in the world of food and drink when bigger is simply better.
Tomahawk steaks at a summer barbecue; a sharing pitcher of Pimm’s and lemonade. When hosting, that ethos also extends to supersized bottles of wine for big groups, whether magnums — containing 1.5 litres, the equivalent of two standard 750ml bottles — or jeroboams, which hold three litres, the same as four standard 750ml bottles.
Indeed, large-format bottles have spilled over in popularity of late, thanks in large part to the Instagrammable showboatery at the world’s swankiest restaurants and beach clubs, from London and Mykonos to New York and Ibiza, but also as those with the cash to splash on them begin to understand the benefits of these bottles on the wine itself as well as their value for money.
“A jeroboam is a three-litre ‘double magnum’ format, equivalent to four standard bottles, which makes it a real statement piece and perfect for shared celebrations,” explains Jeany Crook, co-founder of Mirabeau, the Provençal rosé brand that fast gained traction as pale-pink varieties finally proved the quality credentials that darker types failed to do in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
“At Maison Mirabeau, we’ve chosen this format for our Pure Provence Rosé because it not only enhances the flair of a gathering, but the larger glass-to-wine ratio also helps preserve freshness and elegance. The three-litre jeroboam size offers a slower oxidation rate, meaning the freshness of our delicate Provençal aromatics, pink grapefruit, wild strawberry and citrus linger longer in each glass.”
Jacob Kouloumpris, group head sommelier for Addmind Hospitality London, whose Soho restaurant Sucre serves up a jeroboam of its Gran Enemigo Chacayes Single Vineyard 2017.
He says: “A jeroboam is theatrical and instantly communicates celebration, status and exclusivity. They’ve become a go-to for corporate events or New Year’s parties because of their spectacle and efficiency, instantly elevating the experience.”
Kouloumpris adds: “In our jeroboam, the structure, freshness and minerality this wine is known for can evolve more gracefully over 15–25 years or longer, while wine ages more slowly and gracefully in larger formats due to the lower oxygen-to-wine ratio, showing greater nuance and longevity.”
Sold? We certainly are.
Here, we taste-test the best jeroboams to share with friends and family at your next big gathering, from rosé to fizz and even red — sure to receive a round of applause as you bring out the big guns.
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Champagne Bollinger Jeroboam
Unless you’ve been living under a booze-free rock, you’ll be all-too familiar with Champagne Bollinger – arguably one of the most famous Champagne houses – which has been crafting elegant but complex Pinot Noir-driven wines with their own unique character since 1829.
Its Special Cuvée delicately blends harvest grapes and reserve wines, including some aged for more than 15 years in Bollinger’s cellars. The nose is aromatic and complex with ripe fruit and spicy aromas, while flavours of roasted apples, apple compote and peaches burst on the palate.
A welcome combination of structure, length and vivacity — particularly when the glasses keep on coming.
Buy now £265.00, Waitrose Cellar
Nyetimber Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage Jeroboam
The clever folks at Nyetimber, the hugely-popular Sussex winery that’s proving you don’t always need to choose French for quality bubbles, have only gone and bottled their signature wine in a jeroboam format. Hurrah! For just over £200, you can enjoy the elegance and intensity that the Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage has become known for, blended from varieties from all of the maker’s vineyards as well as several vintages. Chef’s kiss, as they say.
Buy now £230.00, Fortnum and Maison
Adrianna Vineyard River Stones Malbec 2017 Jeroboam
Rich, full-bodied and juicy, the Adrianna Vineyard River Stones Malbec hails from Bodega Catena Zapata in Argentina and has a distinctive aromatic and luxurious quality.
The 2017 vintage is of particular note as it showcases the vineyard’s signature red-fruit flavours, pure structure and super-high tannins that make it perfect for leaving in your cellar for years to come.
The jeroboam format only adds to the fun, whether that’s accompanying equally-sized tomahawks on the barbecue in the summer or similarly large Le Creusets of stew in the winter.
Buy now £560.00, Harrods
Taittinger Brut Reserve NV Jeroboam
Who doesn’t love the golden hues of a crisp bottle of chilled Taittinger from the famous Champagne house?
This magnum-sized bottle features the same straw-yellow colour along with the familiar persistent mousse and signature fine bubbles. But the toe-curling pleasure doesn’t stop there. You can expect the expressive aromas – white flowers, peach, vanilla pod — and fruity, biscuity flavours you’ve come to know and love, only this time the fun can continue all day long.
Better still, it’s aged for up to four years to achieve perfect maturity, meaning this one has substance as well as lashings of fabulous style.
Buy now £259.38, Tesco
AIX Provence Rosé 2024 Double Magnum
Talk about a steal. At little over £100, the magnum-sized version of AIX Rose — the pale-pink wine from Provence that’s snapping at the heels of Whispering Angel — is a no-brainer for catering to parties this summer (or winter — we particularly love rosé on Christmas Day as it pairs so well with turkey). This is made from a combination of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault Grapes to serve up a fragranced and well-balanced wine with sophisticated notes of watermelon, strawberries and flowers. And with plenty to go around in the ‘double magnum’ size – AKA, a jeroboam – there’s more than enough to keep you going from midday to midnight.
Buy now £80.00, Majestic
Champagne Bruno Paillard Premiere Cuvee MV Jeroboam
We love Bruno Paillard, the independent and family-run Champagne house founded in 1981, so we were thrilled to discover that it serves up its Première Cuvée, so characteristic of the producer, in a jeroboam bottle.
Combining Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier grapes – matured on lees for three years – it’s gloriously elegant and refined. Flavour-wise, it’s all about citrus, white flowers and slate, while it’s wonderfully bright and lively. It’s lesser-known than some of the bigger names, sure, but a hidden gem that makes a surefire conversation-starter around the dinner table.
Just over £200 makes it excellent value for money, too.
Buy now £238.00, Hedonism
Louis Jadot Beaune 1er Cru ‘Celebration’ 2018 Jeroboam
Made from 17 different parcels of grapes – note the name of each one written in beautiful calligraphy on the label – this appropriately-named ‘Celebration’ bottle from Louis Jadot, the largest and most prestigious maker in Burgundy, is a worthy match to robust flavours like beef bourguignon or strong cheeses.
The grapes are vinified separately, blended together, then matured in oak barrels for 18 months to deliver a deep colour, dark-berry aromas and rich, complex flavours.
A comfort-food supper will be made all the cosier knowing you won’t run out of this silky, warming pairing.
Buy now £249.99, Taurus Wines
Mirabeau Pure 2023 Jeroboam
Billed as ‘Provence in a glass’, the flagship rosé from Mirabeau is everything you’d expect from a pink wine to see you through languid lunches in the Cote d’Azur, from its peach-tinted colour and fruity aromas to its floral notes and clean finish.
For those who do enjoy food as well as purely liquid lunches, the wine goes particularly well with light fish and seafood, such as sea bream and salmon, although it’s just as good with the likes of sliced beef tagliata with lemon zest and shavings of parmesan.
At just £84, the jeroboam size can always be justified.
Buy now £84.00, Mirabeau
Chapel Down Brut NV Jeroboam
Anything Sussex winery Nyetimber can do, Kentish winery Chapel Down can do… just as well. It’s bottled its bestselling Brut NV in a jeroboam size to cater to big occasions with friends and family, or simply a party for two when you’re feeling particularly thirsty. Presented in a sleek black wooden box, it’s perfect as a generous gift to a host, while the wine itself blends Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Blanc grapes to deliver delicate apple and strawberry aromas with fine, persistent bubbles. No wonder it’s the celebratory tipple of choice for the England cricket team.
Buy now £180.00, Chapel Down
Veuve Clicquot Vintage 2002 Jeroboam
For those looking to really splash the cash, this pricey jeroboam of vintage Veuve Clicquot from Madame herself is worth every penny. Fresh and complex, the 2002 number is from an exceptional year of weather that results in the brand’s signature smoky nose with straw, cream and gunpowder – yes, really – plus a toasty palate and the velvety texture so characteristic of the winery. We’re obsessed.
Buy now £640.00, The Finest Bubble
