Bizarre

Reuters has reported that Polish authorities have seized 44 litres of liquid cocaine, valued at approximately $1.85 million, hidden in wine cartons. The drugs were intercepted in the Lublin region after being shipped from a Panamanian port, passing through a European sea port and a Czech customs point in Ostrava. The operation involved Polish Border…

A recent study reports the discovery and analysis of a reddish liquid found in a 2000-year-old Roman mausoleum in Carmona, southern Spain, which appears to be the oldest preserved liquid wine. Found in 2019, the urn (left) containing the liquid also held cremated human remains, which likely explains the preservation of the wine, traditionally used…

The BBC has reported that Corkage fees, the charges diners pay for bringing their own wine to restaurants, are rising in London as establishments try to maintain profitability. Traditionally around £12 to £15 per bottle, some venues now charge upwards of £100. This increase is driven by inflation and rising costs, such as energy bills…

Vogue has an article, Can A Compound Found In Red Wine Help Your Skin? The idea of using anti-ageing products can feel outdated, as there’s a growing preference for focusing on longevity and graceful ageing. Among the popular anti-ageing methods on social media, resveratrol has gained attention for its promising benefits. This natural compound, found…

The BBC is reporting that a think tank called Tax Policy Associates conducted an experiment to see if anyone would read their privacy policy by offering a free bottle of wine hidden within the terms. The offer was added in February and went unclaimed for three months until May. The head of the organisation, Dan…

An article in Better Homes & Gardens discusses a unique and controversial drink trend on TikTok, mixing red wine with milk. It highlights the origin of this trend, with one of the early proponents being creator Sunny Vasconcelos, who encouraged others to try it. The trend gained more attention after music producer Benny Blanco shared…

The BBC is reporting a Spanish winery, Cepa 21, experienced significant losses exceeding €2.5 million (£2.1 million) when an unidentified individual emptied 60,000 litres of wine by opening tanks in the early hours of Sunday. This act of vandalism targeted two of the winery’s premium wines, Horcajo and Malabrigo. The complexity of the tanks’ security…

The Leamington Observer is reporting how an unassuming wine glass from the Queen Anne period, circa 1710, was auctioned for £9,750, significantly surpassing its estimated value of £500-£800. This wine glass, identified by Kinghams Auctioneers’ glass specialist in Moreton-in-Marsh, attracted substantial interest from collectors and connoisseurs. Measuring 18cm in height, it features a conical bowl…

The Daily Mail newspaper is reporting, a man dressed as a pirate broke into Sparkman Cellars, a family-run winery in Woodinville, Washington, on the eve of Thanksgiving. This individual caused significant damage by destroying 5,000 gallons of artisan hand-crafted white wine, valued at approximately $600,000. The incident was captured on CCTV, showing the man nonchalantly…

Researchers in Turkey have discovered an innovative and sustainable use for winery waste, specifically wine lees, which are residues left over after the fermentation process in winemaking. This waste material, primarily comprising dead yeast cells, has been found to be a promising natural colouring agent for gelatine-based sweets, offering both cost-effectiveness and health benefits. This…

62-year-old Aristotelis Valaoritis from Cyprus has broken the Guinness World Record for balancing the most wine glasses on the head. Glass dancing, a popular spectacle at Cypriot weddings and special occasions, involves the performer moving around while balancing glasses on their head. Valaoritis, a security advisor by profession, has been a long-time practitioner of this…

In a remarkable tale of survival, Lillian Ip, a 48-year-old woman, endured five days stranded in the dense bushland of Victoria, Australia. Setting off on holiday, Ip took a wrong turn and found herself at a dead end. While attempting to turn her car around, she became stuck in mud. With no mobile coverage to…

London, August 13, 2023: A London Overground train was transformed into an impromptu stage as a man, dressed in a sharp blazer, shirt, and a smart cap, serenaded a fellow passenger. The scene was made even more surreal as George Michael’s hit “Careless Whisperer” played in the background, turning the usually mundane journey into a…

A new limited edition cracker has been introduced, perfect for wine and cheese pairings. These crackers, named Club® x Butter Chardonnay Minis, are a collaboration between Club® Crackers and JaM Cellars. The crackers are infused with Butter Chardonnay produced by JaM Cellars, offering a rich and buttery taste. Carrie Foose, the director of brand marketing…

A server recently gained online attention after sharing a humorous post on TikTok, highlighting a customer’s audacious act of taking unfinished glasses of wine from another diner’s table. The video, created by TikToker Stephanie Carlisle, depicts her playing both the customer and the server. As the customer, she spots an unfinished wine glass on a…

The Drinks Business reported on a contentious comment on a receipt from The Cornish Arms in Brunswick, Victoria, which has reignited the age-old debate about adding ice to wine. The comment, which likened the customer to a ‘bogan’ (akin to the UK’s ‘chav’ or America’s ‘hillbilly’), sparked a heated discussion on social media platforms like…