Which wine box size should you choose? The 3L, 5L, and 10L guide
The 3L format (equivalent to 4 bottles) is suitable for a couple or regular daily use. The 5L is intended for a family or small gatherings. The 10L and larger sizes are made for parties, events, and professionals. In all cases, the wine remains good for 6 weeks after opening — regardless of the size chosen.
The capacity chart: everything you need to know at a glance
Before getting into the details, here are the main benchmarks. Everything starts with a standard 12.5 cl glass — the standard measure in restaurants and at home. For the detailed calculations by format, check out our guide on how many glasses are in a box of wine.
3L BIB — equivalent to 4 bottles — about 24 glasses — ideal for 2 people for daily use, a dinner for 4, or drinks with friends.
5L BIB — equivalent to 6.5 bottles — about 40 glasses — perfect for a family, a group of 6 to 8, or a weekend with friends.
10L BIB — equivalent to 13 bottles — about 80 glasses — for large groups, associations, and family celebrations.
22L BIB — equivalent to 29 bottles — about 176 glasses — for events, caterers, bars, and restaurants.
33L BIB — equivalent to 44 bottles — about 264 glasses — large events, catering/hospitality, and large organizations. A single BIB replaces two and a half cases of bottles — logistically, it’s a whole different world.
And in all these cases, the same rule applies: once the tap is opened, the wine lasts for 4 to 6 weeks. The airtight bag retracts with every glass served, without letting any air in.
The 3L: the smart format for everyday life
It’s our star B2C format — and for good reason. The 3L is the perfect size for trying a wine without committing to a large quantity, while still having enough to last for several weeks.
For two people, with one glass each per evening, a 3L will last you about 3 weeks. You have time to enjoy it, share it, and talk about it — without feeling obliged to finish it before it turns. It is also the ideal format for variety: a 3L of red on the go, a 3L of white for Thursday's fish, and both remain impeccable side by side.
To know exactly in which situations the 3L shines, we have written a dedicated guide: 3-liter box, for which occasions.
Find our entire selection in 3L format — organic, natural, and biodynamic wines, by color and by region.
The 5L and 10L: for families, parties, and large groups
The 5L is the format for family dining and long weekends. 40 glasses is a group of 6 over two days — dinner on Friday, lunch on Saturday, drinks on Sunday. You never run out of wine, and you waste nothing.
The 10L changes the scale. 80 glasses is a family celebration, a birthday party for 20 people, or an association meal. No need to uncork bottles one after another, no stale leftover bottle bottoms forgotten on the table. We detailed everything you need to know in our guide 10-liter BIB: good deal or too big?
The 22L and 33L: events and professionals
Starting at 22L, we enter the world of professionals and events. Caterers, wine bars, restaurants, associations, corporate committees — these formats are designed for large volumes with mastered logistics.
A 33L replaces 44 bottles: no serial uncorking, no stacked cardboard boxes, no loss between services. For restaurants and wine bars, perfect preservation after opening eliminates loss by the glass — a real cost item in the hospitality industry.
For any large format order or for an event quote, our Pro space is made for you.
The question that always comes up: what about preservation?
It’s often the first hesitation for people discovering the BIB: "But if I get a 5L and I’m alone, won't I finish it before it turns?"
The short answer: you have 4 to 6 weeks. And that’s true for all sizes. The multi-layer plastic bag retracts with every glass. No air enters. An opened bottle, you finish in 2-3 days. A BIB, you come back to it whenever you want for 6 weeks.
To understand everything about this mechanism, read our article how long does wine stay fresh in a BIB after opening.
How to choose in 30 seconds
You drink one glass per night as a couple → the 3L. It lasts 3 weeks, it is easy to store.
You are a family or you entertain often → the 5L. Comfortable, economical per liter.
You are organizing a party or an association meal → the 10L. Continuous service, zero hassle.
You are a professional or organizing an event for 50+ people → the large formats via our Pro space.
And if you are still hesitating, start with a 3L of a wine that tempts you. You test the format, you test the wine, you decide on the rest according to your real pace. All our selection is on all our wines in BIB.
Frequently asked questions about box capacities
How many glasses in a 3L box?
A 3L box contains about 24 glasses (based on 12.5 cl per glass). For a dinner, count on 2 to 3 glasses per person — a 3L comfortably covers a meal for 4. Find all the calculations in our guide how many glasses in a box.
How long does a 5L box last for two people?
At one glass each per evening, a 5L lasts about 3 weeks. With the 6-week preservation of the BIB, you are well within the limits.
What size box for drinks for 10 people?
Count on 2 glasses per person for a 1.5-hour drink, which is 20 glasses — a 3L (24 glasses) is enough. For more comfort, get a 5L: the rest keeps without any problem.