Bizarre

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 with a single air drop to the lower stem. Update: Interestingly, this is very similar to the wine glass that appears on the UK’s Antique’s Roadshow.

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 entering the cellar late at night and later exiting with an umbrella, heading towards a wooded area. The Sparkman family, who opened their winery in 2004, expressed that this act was a severe blow to their small family business, especially timed to cause maximum damage…

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 discovery, outlined in a study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, highlights the potential of wine lees as a low-cost alternative to synthetic food colourants commonly used in the confectionery industry. The study revealed that wine lees not only improved…

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 art form, entertaining crowds in restaurants since 1995. Valaoritis managed to balance 319 empty wine glasses on his head, breaking the previous record of 270 set by Ntinos Kkanti, also from Cyprus, in 2022 The video on X, formerly Twitter, records this feat and the…

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 call for help, she was left to fend for herself. Ip, who doesn’t usually drink, had only a bottle of wine and some sweets with her. She had intended to gift the wine and used it as her last resort to survive. She also used…

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 bizarre romantic escapade. The man, later identified as notorious YouTube prankster Elvin Mensah, had passengers in fits of laughter as he drank wine and tucked into a massive chocolate cake. A pristine white sheet covered the table, adorned with a vase of roses and 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 for Kellogg’s Crackers, mentioned that the creation of this wine-infused cracker was a result of extensive research and development. Each cracker carries hints of citrus, oak, toasted wheat, and the signature buttery texture of Club® Crackers.

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 neighbouring table and decides to take a sip. When she switches roles to the server, she confronts the customer about the stolen wine, pointing out the potential health risks and etiquettes breached. The video sparked a discussion among viewers, with some sharing their own experiences…

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 Reddit. Some users argued that wine should be consumed at 10-13 degrees, not the typical 25-35 degrees it’s often served at in Australia. Others contended that the wine’s temperature affects its flavour, comparing it to the way cheese’s flavour changes with temperature. Some defended the…