Champagne size matters, bollinger
Champagne size matters, say experts.
(Image credit: Decanter)

Where are the best places to find methuselahs...?

Buying Champagne methuselahs

Presumably merchants don’t all stock six-litre methuselahs, so how do I go about this?

Andy Howard MW replies: There is something special about a large bottle and, for a special occasion, a big bottle of Champagne is a great option. I recently took a jeroboam (three litres/four bottles) of Moët to a 90th birthday party and it drank superbly.

There are a few things to bear in mind though – particularly if you are looking at even larger sizes such as a methuselah (six litres/eight bottles).

It is likely you will struggle to find anything larger than a magnum in a supermarket – the slow turnover and high unit cost doesn’t suit the supermarket environment. Consider one of specialist suppliers of large bottles, such as Drinksdirect.co.uk or Drinksupermarket.com.

If you have a particular favourite grand marque then try contacting the UK importer for help in sourcing a bottle – they will almost certainly be willing to help.

Bear in mind, however, that the cost will be disproportionately expensive – larger sizes are rarer and produced in small volumes.

Expect to pay just over £300 for a methuselah of Laurent-Perrier, or about £500 for Bollinger, for example. You will pay more for the pleasure of the larger size – but it’s worth it.

Finally, plan in advance how you are going to chill the Champagne prior to the event – you may not be able to use a normal fridge so will need plenty of ice on hand. Enjoy.

More Champagne questions:

Champagne fizz

(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Champagne fizz fading – ask Decanter

My Champagne never seems to have much fizz...

Champagne corks

(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Champagne corks – ask Decanter

Why do Champagne bottles have mushroom-shaped corks..?

Champagne cork popping Champagne sales

(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Credit: Andy Roberts / Getty

Why is there no red Champagne? – ask Decanter

champagne cellar

(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Do crémants age as well as Champagne? – Ask Decanter

Does Crémant de Bourgogne age as well as Champagne?

Explore More
Andy Howard MW
Andy Howard MW
Decanter Magazine, Italian Expert and DWWA Regional Chair for Central Italy

Andy Howard MW became a Master of Wine in 2011 and runs his own consultancy business, Vinetrades Ltd, which focuses on education, judging, investment and sourcing.

He previously worked for Marks & Spencer as a buyer for over 30 years and was responsible as wine buyer for Burgundy, Bordeaux, Loire, Champagne, Italy, North and South America, South Africa, England, Port and Sherry.

Although his key areas of expertise are Burgundy and Italy, he also has great respect for the wines of South America and South Africa, as well as a keen interest in the wines from South West France

He is a Decanter contributing editor and is the DWWA Regional Chair for Central Italy. Andy also writes a regular column on the UK wine retail trade for JancisRobinson.com.