Popping of a cork makes our wine taste better

CHEERS Cork affects senses DRINKERS believe wine tastes better when it comes from a bottle with a cork, a study found.

And we subconsciously associate the pop of a cork with a celebration or relaxing night in.

In tests, identical wine was served to 140 people who heard a cork pop or a cap being unscrewed. Drinkers rated the wine 15% better quality from an old-style bottle and saw it as a more fitting drink for a celebration.

And asked if they preferred buying wine with a cork or screw cap, 113 opted for the cork.

Prof Charles Spence, from Oxford University, said: “Our senses are linked. What we hear, see and feel has a huge effect on what we taste. The

There was an arm through the door, thrusting a big knife

REUBEN GREGORY ON BEING WOKEN BY BURGLAR sound of a cork sets our expectations before the wine has touched our lips. These expectations anchor our subsequent tasting experience.”

He said the results “emphasise the clear association between cork and quality in our subconscious”. Some 70% of wine bottles are still sealed using corks.

Wayne Digby died from wounds The Gregorys’ caravan in Slough Cathy & brother Reuben Gregory