FANCY some wine today? Don't bother. A growing number of experts – including those working for some of Britain's biggest supermarkets – reckon this is the worst possible day for a glass of the old vino.
They have come to the remarkable conclusion that wine changes its taste with the lunar cycle. And most of yesterday and today is a Root period, when the moon casts an unpleasant flavour.
Tesco and Marks & Spencer, it emerged yesterday, now only
invite critics to taste their ranges when the moon-related biodynamic calendar dictates that wines will be at their best.
Both firms, who between them account for a third of all the bottles sold in Britain, are paying increasing attention to a moon calendar published for nearly half a century by a German great-grandmother called Maria Thun. She has divided the days of the year into 'fruit', 'flower', 'leaf' and 'root' – the first two are best for drinking wine, the second two worst.
Pierpaolo Petrassi, Tesco's senior product development manager, admitted his firm held its tastings in line with the calendar. "Our first choice is a fruit day. We seek to avoid root and leaf days.
"It may be a little step beyond what consumers can comprehend. We have so many other things to educate consumers about."
Tesco has been scheduling its wine tastings in line with the calendar for two years, but is only now admitting it.
M&S winemaker Jo Ahearne is another convert. "Before the tasting, I was really unconvinced, but the difference between the days was so obvious I was blown away," he said.
David Motion, a London wine merchant, said: "I live in the city and don't think much about nature, but it is clear it has an influence."
Some other retailers, including Waitrose, are less certain. So are most scientists, who point out that the ultimate inspiration for Thun's calendar is Rudolf Steiner, who came up with the notion after reportedly consulting with spirits, although not of the liquid variety.
Steiner, a well known educational reformer, also believed that the moods of humans could cause earthquakes. That hasn't stopped vinegrowers in some parts of the world, including France and the US, using assorted biodynamic fertilisers, of no known scientific value, on their crops.
For those still in the mood for a tipple, the best time to imbibe this week will be between 8pm on Wednesday and 11am on Thursday. Next weekend looks good too.
It will be a fruit period between 6pm on Friday and throughout Saturday. And anyone who really must have a drink tonight should wait until after 10pm. The wine will taste better: Granny Thun said so.
