Learn How To Store Whisky vs Wine: A Guide On Why The Spirits Are Kept Differently
Ever wondered why your wine collection looks like it’s in the middle of an intense session of yoga while your whisky is standing at attention, like a soldier during roll call? It's one of those quirky little details that you probably haven’t given too much thought to, until now.
Read on as we unravel the mystery for you!
Wine's Sideways Siesta
Let's start with our laid-back friend, wine. Wine bottles lying down isn't just for dramatic effect or to save space—it’s all about the cork.
Cork is a natural material that needs a bit of moisture to stay in tip-top shape. When you store wine bottles sideways, the wine keeps the cork nice and moist. This is crucial because a dry cork can shrink and let air seep into the bottle (oh, the horror!). Trust us, oxygen is not wine's best friend. Too much air can spoil your wine, turning that vintage Bordeaux into a grade A disappointment. No one wants that kind of surprise at dinner.
Plus, keeping the wine in contact with the cork also helps with the ageing process. The tiny bit of air that does get through a properly moist cork allows the wine to develop its flavours over time. So, if you want your wine to age gracefully like a fine actor in their prime, sideways storage is the way to go.
Attention All: It’s Whisky
Now, let’s turn our attention to whisky. Unlike wine, whisky bottles always stand upright, tall and proud. Why such a glaring difference? It’s all about the bottle and the cork—or lack thereof.
Most whisky bottles come with a screw cap or a synthetic cork, neither of which need to stay moist. Even the few whiskies that do have natural cork stoppers don’t require the same care as wine corks (some drinks are more delicate than others).
Whisky is much higher in alcohol content (usually around 40% ABV), which means it’s pretty darn good at preserving itself (if only we had that ability as well). In fact, if whisky were stored on its side, the alcohol could degrade the cork, messing with the flavour. And no one wants that kind of drama in their dram.
Moreover, storing whisky upright keeps the liquid from reacting with the cork, ensuring that the flavour remains consistent. Whisky is meant to be enjoyed at its peak, and the upright storage helps maintain its original character.
Let’s nerd out for a second. Wine typically has an alcohol content between 10-15%. This lower alcohol content means that wine can be more susceptible to oxidation and spoilage if exposed to air. Hence, the need for a moist cork to keep the bottle sealed tight.
Whisky, on the other hand, is a robust spirit. Its high alcohol content keeps it stable and prevents spoilage, making it much less needy than wine. This stability is why whisky doesn’t need to lie down (after all this new info, we might need to).
Next time you admire your neatly stacked wine rack or your impressive whisky collection, you’ll know why they’re stored the way they are. Who knew that understanding the little quirks that make our favourite drinks even more interesting, would be so much fun?
