Magnums and bagnums: Why big serves are the ultimate party accessory

From picnics and garden parties to nature-strip gatherings and long, leisurely lunches, getting out and about at this time of year is a good time. But if there’s one thing we know about this period, it’s that your wallet can get a workout trying to keep up with a chock-a-block social calendar. For every party you attend or gathering you host, it’s assumed you’ll bring or provide a bottle or two of something tasty: a pretty common (and thoughtful) move, especially when celebrating with your nearest and dearest. This can inevitably lead to your bottle tally quickly adding up and, before you know it, you’re visiting your local Dan’s several days a week. Don’t get us wrong, we love seeing you around, but don’t you have a party to attend? 

There’s a way around this need-to-attend-parties-but-also-save-cash conundrum, and it comes in the form of bagnums and magnums. What are they? And how will they change the game this party season? Let’s find out.  

Move over cask wine, there’s a new drop in town and it’s in a lightweight pouch with aluminium lining to maintain freshness and be sturdy enough to stand on its own. Complete with a built-in handle and tap at the bottom, a bagnum holds the equivalent of two bottles (a magnum). In short, it’s boxed wine, minus the box. A magnum in a bag, a bagnum! Clever. Catchy. No notes. 

There’s plenty to love about a bagnum. For starters, there’s its generous shelf life (12 months) and the fact it’s still good four weeks after opening. Then there’s its low-carbon footprint, which is 80% less than the equivalent glass bottle. Don’t even get us started on how portable it is or the fact it’s ideal for non-glass-friendly events like music festivals, picnics and camping. As for the quality? Top notch. The bagnum is a far cry from the cask wines of old – in fact, you can enjoy a crisp chardonnay, zesty pinot grigio or well-rounded shiraz cab out of a bagnum. 

Finally, there’s the shareability and affordability of a bagnum, which go hand in hand, if you ask us. If you’re splitting a bagnum with a group of your mates, you know a 1.5-litre format will go further. And if you have a gathering every week for a month, in theory, you could take the same bagnum to every party to share with your mates. It’s like the wine gift that keeps on giving, as you can see with these three top recos below.