Among the various types of strong alcoholic cognac is considered one of the most bought. It is available in almost every home. It may happen that after the guests leave, there is still a drink in the bottle. Despite the high popularity of this type of alcohol, many do not know how to store cognac. There is an opinion that alcohol cannot go bad.
However, according to experts, this is not so. This type of alcohol, if it is not properly contained, will become worthless even in a closed container. How to store cognac at home? What container is suitable for this drink? In what position should I hold the bottle? All answers to these questions in our article.
General information
Cognac is a wonderful aromatic alcoholic drink with a strength of at least 40%. Its production uses special grape varieties. The technological process provides for the following procedures: fermentation, double distillation of grape juice and aging of the alcohol base for at least two years.
France is traditionally considered the birthplace of cognac products. To get this type of strong alcohol with an original flavoring bouquet, special oak barrels are used for aging it. Being in such a capacity, brandy is getting better and better every year. However, the maximum aging period should not be more than 70 years. If you store longer than the designated term, then the alcohol will become a little worse.
In what conditions to contain
Those who do not know how to store cognac, experts recommend taking into account the following factors:
- The location of the bottle. She must occupy an upright position.
- The place where alcohol is stored.
- The material from which the container is made.
- Temperature.
In more detail about how to store cognac, we will tell further.
Which place to choose
It turns out that it is also important that the drink retains all its properties. For those who are interested in how to store cognac, professionals recommend choosing the right place where the alcohol container will stand. It is advisable that direct sunlight not fall on the packaging. Otherwise, brandy may deteriorate. This fact explains why this type of long-term alcohol is determined in special boxes and tubes.
For example, Kochari cognac of Armenian production is aged for 7 years. During this time, the drink does not deteriorate, since a special box is provided for it. The glass in the bottles with this drink is often dark in color. To protect cognac from light, it is better to put it in a bar. If it is not, then for this purpose a separate shelf in the kitchen cabinet is suitable.
At what temperature should cognac be stored
According to experts, the optimal temperature regime for this purpose varies from +5 to +18 degrees Celsius. Factory-made cognac in a glass bottle before use can be refrigerated for some time. Can brandy be stored in the freezer? The answer will be no. The fact is that in an oak barrel, alcohol acquires the necessary taste. The aroma of an alcoholic drink is due to the presence of tannins in it. Low temperatures affect them negatively. As a result, the substances will be destroyed, and the products will lose their original taste.
The best option for storing home-made cognac will be a cellar or basement. Pre-alcohol is bottled in champagne bottles. Before serving, homemade cognac needs to be taken out and held for some time, for example, in the kitchen, so that it warms up to room temperature. Judging by the numerous reviews, both branded and domestic alcohol should be kept in a clean container and at the appropriate temperature. Despite the fact that this product does not freeze, it is better to protect it from sharp temperature fluctuations.
How to position the bottle
Since cognac is able to absorb odor well, it is not recommended that it occupy a horizontal position during storage. This tip is due to the fact that the drink and cork should not be in contact. Otherwise, the alcohol will get an unpleasant cork flavor.
About capping glass containers
How to store cognac in bottles at home? What to do to prevent alcohol from spoiling? In addition to the correct location of the bottle, you should pay attention to what material the cork is made of and how tight it is. Plastic and polyethylene need to be excluded, since these materials have low resistance to alcohol. It will be possible to increase the tightness if the plugs are filled with sealing wax. Storage in a bottle is considered the simplest and most easily implemented method. Mostly they resort to it when after the feast there is still alcohol left.
About spill alcohol
Those who have got draft cognac should know that it is inferior in quality to bottled cognac. Therefore, it can be stored for long. Its term mainly depends on which container the drink will be contained in. Judging by the reviews, many lovers of strong alcohol pour cognac in plastic containers. Such consumers of cognac products need to consider that plastic bottles seem to be the same only externally. In fact, they are made using various materials. Among them may be polyvinyl chloride, with which the alcohols that make up the drink will actively react. In connection with this fact, in order to prevent negative consequences, it is best to pour cognac in glass containers.
The timing
Many people are interested not only in how to store cognac in bottles, but also for how long? The storage period of strong alcohol in an open container is limited. According to experts, such brandy should not be kept for more than three months. The fact is that after opening the bottle, air will get inside, which negatively affects the aromatic and taste qualities of this drink.
If alcohol remains in the bottle after a feast, it is better to pour it into a smaller glass container so that it does not “run out”. It is more advisable to use the alcohol started in the following days. For example, the Chateau de Montifo cognac loses some of its taste after opening the bottle. Therefore, it is better to drink it right away, and not leave it for later. In order not to spoil the original taste, the remains of cognacs of different brands should not be poured into one bottle.
Where else can I keep an alcoholic drink?
A fairly common way of storing brandy was metal jars. Among consumers of alcoholic products, the predominantly male part of the population resorts to this method. Those who decide to store the drink in this way can be advised to choose the right flask. It is important that it is made of high quality metal, which, when reacted with alcohols, will not oxidize. Shelf life in a good flask is the same as in a glass bottle. Another advantage of the jars is that they are more comfortable to wear. Such containers can be taken with you for hunting and fishing. A flask made of solid metal can be filled with cognac and presented as a gift.
Some lovers of cognac products pour this drink into special containers called bag-in-box. The container is presented in the form of a bag, for the manufacture of which dense polyethylene is used. This material is contained in a cardboard box.
To make it easier to pour alcohol, the design was equipped with a special faucet. According to the owners, these containers are not without some drawbacks. So, they often leak, and it is problematic to disinfect them. In addition, in the bag-in-box often remains part of the strong alcohol. To drain the remains of cognac, the owner has to turn the box over.
How to store home-made cognac? Experts assure that oak barrels will become the ideal place. Fans of homemade alcohol should get a barrel.
An alternative would be bottles for wine or champagne. Their plus is that they have tinted glass that protects the cognac from direct sunlight. Put alcohol containers in a cool basement or on the balcony. Before serving, alcohol is bottled. Then it should reach room temperature. To do this, it will be enough to hold it for several hours in a bar or kitchen cabinet.
Conclusion
It is noted that cognac in an unopened bottle can stand for several decades. This has been repeatedly confirmed in practice. If the glass container was opened, the shelf life is limited to weeks or months. Everything will depend on the conditions under which the host contains alcohol.