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Salmanazar (9l) : Key Points

The Salmanazar is one of the family of large bottles of wine notably from the Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne regions.

What is the capacity of a Salmanazar?

The capacity of a Salmanazar is 9 litres, the equivalent of 12 bottles of 75cl or 72 glasses of wine or champagne.

What does the name Salmanazar mean?

The name Salmanazar is of biblical origin. Salmanazar refers to the five kings of Assyria who bore this name. King Salmanazar III, a great warrior, left his mark on history through his many military campaigns and his reputation as a great builder.

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 format than in a bottle, which limits its oxidation. In addition, because of their large capacity, large bottles exude the complexity and aromatic range of the wine.

What is the best way to open a Salmanazar?

To open a Salmanazar properly, it is best to follow a few steps to ensure that the bottle is opened properly. Because of its size and capacity, the Salmanazar can be closed with a wire cage, a capsule or wax, depending on the type of wine. 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 Salmanazar be served?

The Salmanazar should ideally be served at a temperature of 16-18°C in the case of a red wine. In the case of a champagne Salmanazar, due to its large capacity, this large format needs to be chilled for longer than a classic bottle and will be less subject to rapid temperature variations. It should therefore be served at a temperature of 8-10°C.