Paul Gregutt
Wine adviser

    Q. With respect to your recent article the correct way to store wines, is it less important for long-term horizontal storage if the cork end is covered with wax, or if the bottle is a large format (1.5L, 3L, 6L, etc.)?
I have several large format bottles that would be more difficult to store in my cellar on their sides given the size of the shelving. Currently they are standing upright on the wine counter.
A. Wines in large format bottles are often purchased as unique collectibles, and intended for either re-sale (as a donation or an investment) or for long-term storage. It is generally agreed that wines in larger bottles will age better and longer than those in the standard 750ml size, provided, of course, that the wine itself was ageworthy to begin with.  I would urge you to find a horizontal solution for your storage. Unless you plan to consume a particular bottle within a year or two, I would be concerned about having it standing up indefinitely. Why not lay them down on the counter, if the shelving is too small?
As for the impact of wax on the cork’s ability to forestall drying out, I have no experience that would shed any light on that question.
Readers, do any of you have a good answer for that one?

Paul Gregutt can be reached by e-mail at wine@seattletimes.com.