Acidification

A process practiced in warm wine regions whereby a winemaker adds acid to fermenting wine in order to boost that wine’s low level of acidity. Acidification is legal and widely practiced in many parts of the world, including California. Also called acidulation.

What is the best way to store a bottle of Cognac or Armagnac?

A. On its side like a regular wine bottle

B. Standing upright

C. Completely upside down so that the liquid is in full contact with the cork

D. The spirit should be poured out of the bottle and stored in a decanter

Bottles of Cognac and Armagnac should be stored upright, not on their sides. The high alcohol content in these distilled spirits can rot the cork, causing unpleasant aromas inside the bottle.

“I wouldn’t have minded school if they taught you important things like how to have good sex and what brand of wine is best, but for some reason, they were hell bent on teaching me algebra.”

—Ben Mitchell, author, Without One Plea

Get WineSpeed