Skip to content

How many drinks are in 750 ml of wine?

3 min read

With a standard 5-ounce pour, a typical 750ml bottle of wine will yield five glasses. However, this number is a guideline, and the actual quantity depends on a variety of factors, including the wine's alcohol by volume (ABV), the pour size, and the regional definition of a "standard drink".

Quick Summary

A 750ml wine bottle typically contains five 5-ounce servings, but this can vary. Factors like the wine's alcohol content and the actual pour size directly influence the total number of glasses. The concept of a 'standard drink' also differs globally, affecting official counts.

Key Points

  • Standard Pour Yields 5 Glasses: A 750ml bottle of wine typically contains five servings based on a standard 5-ounce (150ml) pour.

  • ABV Changes Serving Size: Wines with higher alcohol by volume (ABV), like fortified wines, are served in smaller portions, resulting in more servings per bottle than a standard red or white.

  • Pour Size Matters: Your actual number of drinks from a bottle will depend on how you pour. Generous home pours yield fewer glasses than a measured restaurant pour.

  • Standard Drink Definitions Vary: The official count of "standard drinks" in a 750ml bottle is not universal and is tied to the wine's ABV. Different countries have different definitions.

  • Specialty Wines Differ: Sparkling wines often yield 6-8 smaller servings, while fortified wines can yield 8-12 even smaller ones.

In This Article

The Standard Answer: Five Drinks

For most casual drinkers and party planners, the quick and easy answer to the question "How many drinks are in 750 ml of wine?" is five. This is based on a standard serving size of 5 fluid ounces (or approximately 150ml). Given that a 750ml bottle contains roughly 25.4 fluid ounces, dividing that by the 5-ounce pour gives you just over five glasses. This simple calculation is a reliable starting point for most red, white, or rosé wines with an average alcohol by volume (ABV) of around 12-13.5%.

Pouring at Home vs. Restaurants

The 5-ounce measurement is more common in restaurant settings where regulated pours are standard for inventory and pricing. At home, however, pours are often more generous, leading to fewer glasses per bottle. A "heavier" pour of 8 or 10 ounces could reduce the yield to just three or four glasses, which is an important consideration when hosting a dinner party.

Why the Number of Drinks Can Vary

While five is a great starting point, several variables can alter the number of drinks a 750ml bottle provides. These factors are crucial for anyone monitoring their alcohol intake or planning for an event.

The Role of Alcohol By Volume (ABV)

The ABV of a wine significantly impacts the number of servings. Wines with a higher alcohol content are typically served in smaller portions, which increases the total number of drinks per bottle. Conversely, a wine with a lower ABV might be poured in a larger glass, yielding fewer servings.

For example, sparkling wines like Champagne and Prosecco, which are often served in flutes designed to preserve bubbles, are typically poured in smaller portions of around 4 ounces (120ml). This means a 750ml bottle will yield approximately six to eight servings.

Fortified wines like Port or Sherry have a much higher alcohol content (17-20% ABV) and are intended to be sipped in smaller, 2-3 ounce (60-90ml) servings. This can result in 8 to 12 servings from a single 750ml bottle, despite the same bottle volume.

Understanding "Standard Drink" Definitions

Another layer of complexity comes from the official definition of a "standard drink," which can vary by country and region.

  • In the United States, a standard drink contains 14 grams of pure alcohol. A 5-ounce glass of 12% ABV wine is considered one standard drink.
  • In Australia, a standard drink contains 10 grams of pure alcohol. The Australian government's guide indicates a 750ml bottle of 13.5% ABV red wine contains 8 standard drinks, while a 11.5% ABV white wine has 6.8 standard drinks. This illustrates how a standard drink count is a measure of alcohol content, not just volume or number of glasses, which can cause confusion.

Comparison Table: Drinks Per Bottle by Wine Type and Pour Size

Wine Type (750ml Bottle) Approx. ABV Pour Size Approx. Servings Per Bottle
Standard Still Wine (Red/White) 12-14% Standard (5 oz) 5
Standard Still Wine (Red/White) 12-14% Large (8 oz) 3-4
Sparkling Wine (Champagne/Prosecco) 11-12% Flute (4 oz) 6-8
Fortified Wine (Port/Sherry) 17-20% Dessert glass (3 oz) 8-10
Wine Tasting Pours Varies Small tasting (2 oz) Up to 12

Calculating Your Own Servings

For those who want to be more precise, especially with stronger wines, a simple formula can help determine the exact number of standard drinks based on ABV. This is particularly useful for measuring alcohol consumption responsibly.

  1. Find the ABV on the bottle's label. This is a percentage.
  2. Convert ABV to a decimal. For example, 13.5% becomes 0.135.
  3. Multiply ABV by bottle volume in milliliters: 0.135 * 750 = 101.25ml of pure alcohol.
  4. Convert to grams of alcohol (density is approx. 0.789 g/ml): 101.25 * 0.789 = ~80g of alcohol.
  5. Divide by your country's standard drink definition. Using the Australian example (10g per standard drink), 80g / 10g = 8 standard drinks.

Conclusion: It's More Than a Simple Number

While the five-drink rule is a convenient mental shortcut for a standard 750ml bottle, it doesn't tell the whole story. The actual number of servings is a function of the wine's alcohol content and the size of the pour. A responsible approach involves understanding these nuances. Whether you're hosting a party or simply enjoying a glass at home, being mindful of the wine's ABV and pour size ensures you can accurately track your intake. Ultimately, a 750ml bottle is a vessel whose true yield depends on both the wine inside and the hands that pour it.

For more information on the guidelines for standard drinks and responsible consumption, refer to the World Health Organization (WHO) resources on alcohol levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

The perception that a bottle has four glasses is often due to more generous, 'at-home' pours. While a standard restaurant pour is 5 ounces, a heavier pour of around 6.5 ounces would result in exactly four glasses from a 750ml bottle.

Yes, indirectly. While the glass itself doesn't change the bottle's volume, the type of glass can influence the pour size. Flute glasses for sparkling wine lead to smaller pours, while large Bordeaux glasses for red wine might encourage larger pours.

Yes, a standard 750ml bottle contains approximately 25.4 fluid ounces. The conversion is straightforward, but the number of servings still depends on the pour size.

A magnum bottle is 1.5 liters, which is double the size of a standard 750ml bottle. With a standard 5-ounce pour, a magnum contains approximately 10 glasses.

A half bottle, or 'demi', is 375ml. This will yield approximately two to three glasses, assuming a standard 5-ounce pour.

In the United States, one standard drink contains 14 grams of pure alcohol. This is typically equivalent to a 5-ounce glass of 12% ABV wine, a 12-ounce bottle of 5% ABV beer, or 1.5 ounces of 40% ABV spirits.

Box wine can come in various sizes, but a common size is 3 liters, which is equivalent to four standard 750ml bottles. This means a 3-liter box would hold roughly 20 standard 5-ounce servings.

References

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.