How long can I keep an opened bottle of Cognac and unopened Champagne

The Cognac should be OK - it's a type of brandy with about 40 - 50% alcohol. The champagne won't be spoiled as long as it is corked; I'll let other, more experienced regulars tell you more.

Dan-O

I have a fifth of lowly Hennessey VSOP that I opened nearly 3 years ago, which is still fine (had a glass just last weekend). I see no reason why yours wouldn't be fine too.

I don't have much experience with champagne, but I wouldn't worry, as long as you don't store it in a hot or bright place.

I assume you refer to the Roederer 'Cristal'?

Absolutley it shouldn;t be left alone while you're gone. I think you should send it to me. ;-)

Huh. I thought that Cristal drinkers preferred Courvoisier, not P. Ferrand. :)

Huh. I thought that Crystal drinkers preferred Courvoisier, not P. Ferrand. :)

I read the replies to this and no one opined concerning whether you should drink it now or when you get back. I'd drink this now.

I got a case of Arbor Must's Sauvignon 'N Shoepolish with an expiration date of 12-04-99. Does this mean I can hold on to a few bottles until 2099? Can screwtops keep the flavour of oxfords that I find so compelling?

As others have noted, cognac and other distilled spirits can last years (I have a bottle, actually also Pierre Ferrand, that's probably been open 4 years and Armagnac that's even older). '96 is a great year in Champagne, if you like yours with some bottle age you should be able to hold- IF you have good storage. Champagne is imho quite fragile compared to many still wines, and I'd only hold if you were confident temps would never go above 65°F. If not, you're better off drinking now.

nickr wrote: