what is a 'split champagne', & what does 'split' mean?

Hello sharp987,

The term 'split' actually refers to the size of the champagne bottle.
If you take a look at this online list , you'll see that there are
numerous sizes - many of which I never knew existed :

Champagne Bottle Sizes (under the heading "The most technical Wine")
http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Champagne_(beverage)

Other names for this bottle size include 'quarter' and 'piccolo'. If
you look up the definition of 'piccolo', you'll find the term a good
match for the size :

Definition of piccolo at Dictionary.com
"..considerably smaller than the usual size..."
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=piccolo


Here's some more information I found useful :

http://www.dmhweb.com/wine/bottlesize.htm (Great resource table for sizes)
http://www.wines.com/winepress/tributaries/99/bigger.html



To assist with this answer, I used Google to research the following terms :

split champagne
://www.google.com/search?q=split+champagne

split bottle
://www.google.com/search?q=split+bottle


Thanks for the intriguing question. Please let me know if you need
further clarification or more resources. I'll do all I can to assist.

SgtCory

---

Clarification of Answer by sgtcory-ga on 28 Sep 2004 04:20 PDT

Here is a little more clarification on what the term 'split' actually means :

Wine TidBits
"...A split comes from the same logic as a tenth, half a regular
bottle where a regular bottle is a fifth as it holds a fifth of a
gallon. Hence the half bottle being a tenth."
http://www.uncork.com.au/tidbits0.htm


Thanks again,
SgtCory

Excellent answer to question.

...so the expression, when you place your order, isn't "a split
champagne" but "a split OF champagne," just as you'd ask for "a fifth
of whiskey."  It's a unit of measure.