Raise a glass to the magic of magnums

Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine Drinks Editor, James Viner, uncorks his favourite magnum picks you’ll want on your radar. They’re practical, show-stopping, and will age gracefully – and definitely impress guests at your next dinner party…

A sommelier’s dry wit sums up the majesty of a magnum (150cl) perfectly: “A bottle gets the chat started; a magnum keeps it going all evening.” 

Beyond spectacle, however, magnums boast an ideal oxygen-to-wine ratio, which helps fine wines develop complexity and mature more slowly than in standard 75 cl bottles. Bigger isn’t just bolder – it’s smarter.

This issue, I’ve curated six standout food-friendly magnums – perfect for celebrating business wins, family feasts, or upcoming festive nights. Magnums do come at a premium, but with 10–12 pours each, they’re a bargain in conviviality for generous hosts. 

Pour into a decanter (Riedel O Magnum, anyone?) and let the moment linger deliciously. Ready to go big? Let’s indulge…

Six Bottles Worth Doubling Up On

1. Maison Maillet Provence Rosé Magnum 2024, France (£22/£17.60 subscription, Laithwaites, 12 %)

Not ready to say au revoir to summer? Me neither. This bargain rosé from Provence is light-bodied, easy to quaff, Grenache-led and kissed with garrigue and summer berries. From a fourth-generation family estate near Bandol.

2. Bouvet Ladubay ‘Saphir’ Saumur Brut Magnum 2021, Loire, France (£30 mix 6, Majestic, 12.5 %)

When it comes to fizz, a magnum always steals the show. Made using the painstaking traditional method, this Loire Valley Chardonnay-Chenin sparkler is an elegant apéritif with enticing hints of acacia, pear, peach, hazelnut and brioche. A well-crafted Champagne alternative that shines with seafood or as a party starter.

3. Villa Cafaggio Chianti Organic Classico Magnum 2022, Panzano, Italy (£34.00, down to £24.00 Oct 1-28, Waitrose, 13.5 %) 

This savoury all-Sangiovese organic Chianti Classico was matured in Slavonian oak and bursts with violets, juicy plum, cherry, tobacco, cloves and tea. Refined tannins keep it smooth. With a £10 October saving worth circling in your diary, it’s a dream match for autumn casseroles, seafood stews, or Christmas turkey. Go on — celebrate ‘Organic September’ with a bottle that proves greener living can taste delicious. Still more to come with time in the cellar.

4. Cary Wine Estate, The Old Rectory Chardonnay Magnum 2022 (£50, carywineestate.com, 13 %)

Award-winning Cary Wine Estate was founded in 2019 near Faversham and is now among Kent’s top vineyards. Made by contract winemaker Nick Lane, this classy Chardonnay is creamy, subtly nutty, and sure to elevate any dinner party. Pour with salmon gravadlax, seafood, mild curries or white meats (hello Christmas turkey). 

Trade screens for vines. Volunteer as a grape picker at this 10-acre family vineyard in October. Secateurs and warm hospitality are provided. E: info@carywineestate.com. 

5. Magnum of The Society’s Champagne Brut NV, Alfred Gratien, France (£68.63, The Wine Society, 12.5 %)

Consistently tip-top, full-bodied, oak-fermented, long-aged, bone-dry house champagne, with masses of rich, nutty, toasty citrus fruit, from boutique, quirky champagne house Alfred Gratien. An impeccable, richly flavoured masterclass in French blending. Larger formats available—for example, a 300 cl jéroboam – for even more ‘wow’ factor.

6. Bodega Chacra ‘Barda’ Pinot Noir Magnum 2023, Río Negro, Argentina (£68.95 mix 6, Lea & Sandeman, 13 %)

Heartbreak grape Pinot Noir may be prone to disease and tricky to cultivate, but Chacra’s low-yielding, ungrafted ‘Barda’ vines planted in cool, windy (creating thicker skins), northern Patagonia in 1990 – the winery’s youngest vines – deliver seduction: organic, biodynamic, unfiltered and brimming with red plum, damask rose, black cherry, and forest floor. A real treat served slightly chilled with trout/salmon fillets, roast veal, or mushroom linguine.

Follow James on Instagram @QuixoticWines