Retailer specialising in magnums launched

An online retailer that only sells magnums has been launched by two entrepreneurs who hope to capitalise on the current UK trend for upsizing wine.

The Magnum Company founders George Clements and Edward Harrison

The Magnum Company was founded by friends George Clements and Edward Harrison, who spotted a gap in the market for an online retailer solely selling magnum formats of quality red, white, rosé, Champagne, Sherry and Port.

The company strives to make magnums easy to order, affordable and enjoyable. With mags starting from £22, the wines in its portfolio hail from France, Italy and Spain.

Brangelina’s Miraval is one of the wines sold in magnum

“A magnum offers double the size and double the fun, after all, Sir Winston Churchill famously said: ‘a magnum is the perfect size for two to share over lunch… especially if one of them isn’t drinking’.

“The magnum format is underutilised. We want to change that. Nothing looks better than producing a couple of magnums when hosting a dinner party, or giving a glorious magnum as a present,” Clements told db.

“Quality is at play too – it’s greatly held that the magnum format is the optimal size for fine wines to mature gracefully and evenly,” added Harrison, who started selling magnums to his friends and family from his London flat five years ago.

Last year Harrison sold 5,000 magnums from his kitchen table, and Clements persuaded him to turn his hobby into a business

Among the magnums currently on offer are Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône 2015 for £26; Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s Provence rosé Miraval 2016 for £42; Les Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne for £62; and Equipo Navazos La Bota No. 70 Manzanilla Pasada for £60.

In addition to wine, the boys also sell cider and olive oil in magnums and plan to add a gin and sloe gin to their offering soon.

If ordered before 11am the wines can be delivered to anywhere in the UK the next day and there is no minimum order.