Ever Wondered Why 750 mls?

Have you ever wondered why most glass wine bottles are 750 ml, rather than an even liter? There are a few theories, but first, a little history…

Although glass blowing has been around since the time of the ancient Romans, glass bottles were expensive. Wine was usually carried and stored in clay jugs with glass more often used for serving wine.  It wasn’t until the 18th Century, that something close to the modern day wine bottle could be found in common use. Not coincidentally, the use of the cork stopper developed at about this time.

As far as size is concerned, most antique bottles, fall into the range of 600 ml to 800 ml. Eventually, Great Britain and the U.S. legalized the "fifth" bottle - one-fifth of a gallon - as the standard size for wine and liquor, while Europe gravitated to the similar 750 ml metric size.

But all this begs a question: Why the specific "fifth" or 750 ml size?

The three most common theories are:

1) This is the average capacity of a glass blower's lungs, and thus the size of a bottle created in one blow.

2) A typical "fifth" weighs about 2½ to 3 pounds, a convenient size to pack and carry while shopping.

3) Apparently, it is widely held that the "fifth" size originated as proper ration for a grown man at a meal.

Whether or not there is any basis in this particular fact, no one seems sure. However, the U.S. standard was one-fifth of a U.S. gallon, or 25.6 U.S. fluid ounces, or approximately 757 ml.

We do know that in 1979, the U.S. adopted the metric system for wine bottles, with the American bottle becoming 750 ml, as in Europe. This standardization was probably due to America’s emergence as a serious contender on the world stage of award-winning wines. 

BOOK A PRIVATE TASTING PARTY

     JUST FOR YOUR GROUP!

Carafe™ Private Tasting Parties are a fun and affordable way to spend an evening out with your special group of friends or associates. Simply call to arrange a date and time convenient for your group, and we will close the doors just for your Private Tasting Event!  Enjoy a selection of fine wines accompanied by delicious finger food snacks. Every participant in your group will receive an official Carafe taster glass and if you wish, helpful materials to “score” the wines.

In addition, each member of your group will be able to enjoy the winemaking experience with your own batch of wine. You need only to select the style of wine to be made.  Each bottle will have a label created specially to commemorate the occasion!  If you would like to have a specific party theme, just let us know. Call to discuss how we can make your evening a special one.

News Flash !!!

HALF SIZE BATCHES NOW AVAILABLE

If you love Carafe™ wines but are concerned about how long it may take to drink 30 bottles, why not try our new Half Size Batch.  For Half the Price, you can now order 15 bottles of Carafe™ wine!  Drop in to see our ever-changing list of wines now available in half sizes – for half the price!

FEATURED WINES FOR SEPTEMBER

SAVE 10% OFF Bottles and Batches!

    Sale ends September 30th, 2008

You simply won’t want to miss out on these two most popular wines, featured for September, only. Perfect for the upcoming holiday season, Midnight Cab and Great White are versatile matches for holiday meals. Pair deep red, delicious Midnight Cab with your special holiday beef dishes, and serve light, fruity Great White with your traditional Thanksgiving turkey. We guarantee you’ll love them!

MIDNIGHT CAB

A classic Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep, ruby-red color, full bodied and smooth to the end. Rich berry aromas are balanced with a smooth toasted oak. An all-time CarafeÔ favorite!

GREAT WHITE

A fine, WA State Gewurztraminer made with select juices from the Yakima Valley. It’s a powerhouse of lychee, mango, grapefruit, honey and spice. The finish is lovely and long. If you enjoy a great white – be sure to try this one!

CARAFE™ CUSTOM LABEL WINES

FOR UNIQUE GIFT GIVING!

If you manage a business, you are probably facing that annual question, “What do I give my clients this year?” Carafe has a perfect solution! Our B2B Program is a great way to show your appreciation to your loyal customers, and giving a memorable gift is especially important in these uncertain economic times.

Wine is always a highly regarded gift, and when it is paired with a label featuring your own company logo, or personal graphics, your message is certain to make an impact. Give your clients a unique gift for the Holiday season. It’s so easy – call or visit Carafe Winemakers to ask how we can help you grow your business!

Introduce a friend to the

Carafe Experience!

We greatly appreciate it when you tell your friends, family and co-workers about Carafe.

Did you know that we now offer all Referred batch Customers a Free Set of Custom labels with their first batch?  And, as a token of our appreciation, we now offer you, the “Referrer” a Free Set of Custom Labels for your next batch too!

Coming Soon …

Carafe Wines On Line

That’s right!  Coming this fall, you will be able to order from a selection of Carafe™ wines via the Internet.  You will also be able to order your own Custom Labels with your personalized graphics from the Carafe Online store.  Visit our Website www.carafewinemakers.com in late September for details.  Soon your out-of-town friends can enjoy Carafe™ wines too!