Should Cognac be cellared upright or on its side?
Hello there! I'm Dr. Vinifera, but you can call me Vinny. Ask me your toughest wine questions, from the fine points of etiquette to the science of winemaking. And don't worry, I'm no wine snob—you can also ask me those "dumb questions" you're too embarrased to ask your wine geek friends! I hope you find my answers educational, empowering and even amusing. And don't forget to check out my most asked questions and my full archives for all my Q&A classics.
Dear Dr. Vinny,
Should Cognac be cellared upright or on its side?
—Phillip C., Malaysia
Dear Phillip,
I’ve fielded a couple Cognac questions in the past. If you’ve never had it, it’s a brandy made mostly from the Ugni Blanc grape.
Unlike some fine wines, Cognac isn't intended for aging. Once bottled, Cognac stops maturing, which eliminates the need for long-term storage. That said, it can also last a very long time.
Even though many Cognacs use a cork for a stopper, the corks are often topped with a plastic or metal cap, which helps prevent the cork from drying out. The consensus is that Cognac can be stored upright in a cool dark place. No need to store it on its side or rotate the bottle. Once opened, the contents can evaporate slowly and the flavors fade, but you probably won’t notice any change for months.
—Dr. Vinny
