Biblical figures’ names are used to define the size of wine bottles, such as Balthazar for a 12-liter container. Theories suggest that a king lent his name to a quantity of wine. Italy is the largest producer of wine, and Americans are the biggest drinkers. The oldest existing bottle of wine dates back to 350 AD, and Prince Charles converted his Aston Martin to run on biofuel made from wine in 2008.
The official term for a wine lover is “enophile,” but if that word sounds like a mouthful, try dropping “Jeroboam,” “Methuselah,” “Salmanazar,” or “Nebuchadnezzar” at your next wine tasting. You may get dry stares from those around you, but you have real ones to rely on. All of these terms — and more — define the size of wine bottles, and they all have their origins in the names of Biblical figures, primarily kings. For example, biblical tradition holds that Balthazar was a king of Arabia and one of the three magi who brought gifts to the infant Jesus. In the world of wine, a balthazar is a 12 liter container. How these pairings came to be — what connects the kings of the Bible to bottles of wine — is up for guessing, and theories abound. Some historians suggest that a king long ago lent his name to a quantity of wine, and others have followed suit, sometimes simply for fun. Today, the dizzying array of names doesn’t usually come into play, but it sure could add some spice to a dinner conversation.
The word on the wine:
Italy is the largest producer of wine in the world, but Americans are the biggest wine drinkers.
The oldest existing bottle of wine dates back to 350 AD and can be seen in a German museum.
Prince Charles of England owns an Aston Martin which he converted in 2008 to run on biofuel made from wine.
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