We have plenty of friends who are passionate wine enthusiasts, and many of them prefer to buy their wine by the case rather than by the bottle. It’s not just about their love for cabernet sauvignon—it’s also because buying in bulk often leads to better deals. Plus, specialized wine retailers tend to take better care of their stock than your average grocery store. However, if you’re not a bulk wine buyer, you might wonder how many bottles come in a standard case of wine.
A standard case holds 12 bottles, each containing 750 milliliters, which equals about nine liters in total. These cases can weigh between 30 and 40 pounds, so be careful when carrying one! The term “standard” implies there are other case sizes, which is true depending on the type of wine.
For example, some cases contain only six bottles, which is common with magnums—bottles that hold 1.5 liters (twice the size of a standard bottle). Magnum cases typically come with six bottles. As for smaller sizes, half bottles (375 milliliters) usually come in cases of 12, although higher-end wines might come in packs of six or three. Split bottles, which hold 187 milliliters, don’t have a standard case size.
Retailers often let you mix and match wines in a case, so why not try a variety? Even if you don’t drink it all right away, proper storage will keep the wine fresh until you’re ready to enjoy it—whether at a nice dinner, pairing it with hot dogs, or sharing with friends. And if you’re new to wine, check out our guide to enjoying red wine as a beginner. You might find yourself buying it by the case, too!
