Balthasar

/bælˈθæzər/ noun

Definition

A large wine bottle, typically holding 16 times the capacity of a standard wine bottle.

Etymology

Named after Balthazar, one of the three Magi in Christian tradition (also spelled Balthasar), perhaps for the gift-giver's generosity. Oversized bottles received names of biblical or historical figures.

Kelly Says

Wine bottle sizes have names like 'magnum,' 'jeroboam,' and 'balthasar'—basically the wine industry named them after famous figures as inside jokes about generosity and extravagance, turning biblical kings into beverage measurements.

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