Cognac storage question.

[Barcode]

Was the bottle stored upright or on its side? If it was stored upright the cork could dry out and crumble when you remove it, if it was stored on its side the booze keeps it moist and it should be fine.

[TheRiddick]

Originally Posted by Barcode

Was the bottle stored upright or on its side? If it was stored upright the cork could dry out and crumble when you remove it, if it was stored on its side the booze keeps it moist and it should be fine.

For the most part, corks used in alcohol bottles are re-manufactured compounds and do not require as much moisture to keep shape, actually no moisture is fine. I have yet to see any alcohol bottle to be stored on its side, new or old. Walk into any serious retail shop and check how their old bottles of Armagnac are stored or old Scotch for that matter.

Wine is a whole different ball game, of course. Champagne MUST be stored up right, its imperative. Natural corks on their side, any other enclosure is fine any which way.

Exposure to sun/heat is a serious problem, of course, with sun being a bigger problem.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by TheRiddick

Champagne MUST be stored up right, its imperative.

Why is that. I thought it was store on its side. Not saying you are wrong, but this is new to me. Does it become rancid easy? I have seen plenty of old Champagne bottles that I was told "will kill you" if drank. Many were heavy hitters too. Such a shame.

[TheRiddick]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

Why is that. I thought it was store on its side. Not saying you are wrong, but this is new to me. Does it become rancid easy? I have seen plenty of old Champagne bottles that I was told "will kill you" if drank. Many were heavy hitters too. Such a shame.

Oxidation. I lost a great bottle of Salon that way.

Just one of the sources: http://www.pcgs.com/articles/article...tml?artid=1368

I can attest myself that storing a bottle on its side even for relatively short period of time (in Champagne terms, that is) of, say, 5-6 years, will lead to oxidation. Been storing them upright since.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by TheRiddick

Oxidation. I lost a great bottle of Salon that way.

Just one of the sources: http://www.pcgs.com/articles/article...tml?artid=1368

Good article. Is that why the case of Champagne I have in my cellar is shipped upright? Going to turn the case as soon as I finishe typing this!

55 degrees constant is hard to achieve outside of a pro-cellar or unique deep basement.

Personally, I like a touch of oxidation to wine, but one that has happened gently over decades, or a Champagne made with old stocks.