Expert: Paul Wagner - 10/28/2007

Question
I recently cleaned out my grandfathers wine cellar and found a bottle of Cognac Napoleon Grande Fine Champagne 1802.Do you know an estimated value of this ?thank you for time.

Answer
Hi John

This is a nice bottle of Cognac...but it doesn't date form 1802.  That's when the company was founded.  The very best Cognac is VSOP, and this bottle is a couple of levels below that.  And since Cognac doesn't improve with age in the bottle ( the alcohol levels are too high for much to change ) this bottle would probably sell for about $45-60.  But it should still be quite nice to drink.

FYI, it is illegal for private individuals to sell alcoholic beverages in the USA, so you would have to do this through an auction house or a helpful retailer.  If it were mine, I would save it for a special occasion and open it up to share with family or friends.

SOrry I don't have more exciting news.

Paul Wagner