With wine, sometimes more is more

When we think of larger sized wine bottle formats, we tend to think either of cheap, poor quality jug wine or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, magnums or double magnums of pricey vintage Bordeaux. A regular sized wine bottle holds 750 milliliters of wine, and most standard wine bottles are in direct relation to that benchmark. For example, a 'half bottle' holds 375 milliliters and a magnum holds the equivalent of 2 regular bottles or 1.5 liters.

Some vintners are experimenting with the 1 liter format for wine, a size most readily associated with booze, precisely vodka. We love these 1 Liter wine bottles for
summer parties, not to mention that warm and fuzzy feeling that you are 'getting a little extra' (a lagniappe' as they say in Nawlins.)So far we've discovered two 1 Liter wines that provide extra delicious juice -- and 250 milliliters (or 8 ounces) more of it! To put it in festive party perspective, you can serve up 2 more party guests with that. Not to be overlooked is the fact that these bottles are pretty adorable in their burliness AND that the wine inside will likely soar over the expectations of your fellow beach or barbecue mates.

The 2009 Biohof Pratsch Gruner Veltliner from Austria ($14.99 for the liter) is the perfect summer wine. Gruner Veltliner is known for it's unique degree of "peppery-ness" and the Biohof is super refreshing and light but still packs alot of flavor. Our tasting note includes descriptors like elegant, spritzy, citrus, pear, floral, and light pepper. I feel a cool breeze coming my way already!

On the slightly heartier side of things we recommend Sherman & Hooker's Shebang Red Wine. This $20 dollar, 1 liter jug o' wine is named after the two Civil War generals (Sherman & Hooker) who founded a Vineyard in 1854. It's a juicy blend of top-notch Syrah, Petite Syrah, and Zinfandel from California's North Coast. As the winery notes, "the wine was aged in French oak, and saw no chips, staves, or other gobbledy-gook." As we note, the wine is juicy with lush fruit, nice character, some enticing spice, and fun-as-hell packaging. Really, how can you go wrong?

Cheers to summer!