Hosting a celebration should be stress-free. Whether you're arranging a small dinner or stocking a full wedding bar, use our simple guide below to estimate exactly how much wine you'll need.
THE GOLDEN RULE: SERVES PER PERSON
A standard 75cl bottle of wine or fizz yields 5 average serves.
Note on Servings: We calculate still wine at 5 generous 150ml serves per bottle. A standard UK bar measure is 125ml or 175ml.
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STILL WINE (Red / White / Rosé)
- 5 generous serves per 75cl bottle
- Calculation: 150ml per serve
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SPARKLING WINE (Fizzy)
- 6 perfect flutes per 75cl bottle
- Calculation: 125 ml per serve (UK Standard)
ESTIMATING YOUR ORDER ( The Half Bottle Rule)
A useful planning benchmark is the "Half Bottle Rule": assume each guest will consume approximately half a bottle of wine over the course of the event.
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CONSUMPTION RATE GUIDE
- Short Reception (1–2 hours): Plan for 2 servings per guest.
- Dinner Party (3–4 hours): Plan for 3 servings per guest.
- Long Event / Wedding (5+ hours): Plan for 4–5 servings per guest.
WEDDING & LARGE EVENT QUICK GUIDE
For weddings or large parties, where you need to order in bulk, use the following simple breakdown for every 100 Guests dining:Recommended Bottles (For 100 Guests Over a 5-Hour Evening)
- Red Wine: 40 Bottles
- White Wine: 45 Bottles
- Sparkling (Toast): 20 Bottles
- Rosé (Optional/Seasonal): 10 Bottles
Total Bottles: 115 Bottles
Serving Tip: Aim for a ratio of approximately 60% White/Fizz and 40% Red. Most guests start with white wine or fizz, even if they switch to red later.
The Toast: Always calculate your sparkling wine based on one glass per guest for the toast, plus whatever additional quantity you want to serve during a reception.
DON'T FORGET THE FIZZ FACTOR!
When planning a wedding toast, be conservative. A Magnum (1.5L, double the size) yields 12 flutes and always adds an impressive visual element to the occasion!