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Balthazar (12l) : Key Points

The Balthazar belongs to the family of large bottle sizes for Bordeaux and Champagne wines.

What is the capacity of a Balthazar?

The capacity of a Balthazar is 12 litres, the equivalent of 16 bottles of 75cl or 96 glasses of wine or champagne.

What does the name Balthazar mean?

The name Balthazar is of biblical origin. Depending on the source, Balthazar may refer to one of the Wise Men who came to meet Christ after his birth. It may also originate from Balthazar, the last king of Babylon, who was known to have been defeated by Cyrus (king of the Persians) while feasting, hence the expression "Balthazar's feast" to define a sumptuous meal.

Does the size of the bottle influence 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 is less in a large bottle than in a small one, which limits its oxidisation. In addition, because of their large capacity, large bottles release the complexity and aromatic palette of the wine.

What is the best way to open a Balthazar?

To open a Balthazar properly, it is necessary to follow a few steps to ensure that the bottle is opened properly. Because of its size and capacity, the Balthazar can, depending on the type of wine, be closed with a worm, a capsule or even wax. In the case of a wirehood or a capsule, you can proceed as for a classic bottle. In the case of a wax-covered neck, after piercing the top of the waxed surface with your corkscrew, gently remove the cork by gradually removing the wax shavings so that they do not fall into the bottle after opening.

At what temperature should a Balthazar be served?

The Balthazar should ideally be served at a temperature of 16-18°C.