Happy New Year

Every year around this time, it seems I run into a story about champagne.  I don’t think it is a coincidence.

In 2012 I wrote about price deception, how the expensive bottles are not significantly better than those of average price.

In 2013 I told of people with unusual perspective who pay outrageous sums, collect and hoard bottles of “rare” vintage.

So in keeping with what has become a tradition, almost – what was I thinking last year? – here is another sample of bubbly news.

From a 2013 study: “Scientists at Reading University say that a regular dose of bubbles can help in the fight against brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.”  They did some experiments on rats.  “The rats that had no Champagne had a 50% success rate [rerunning a maze], but this went up to 70% in the rats that had Champagne in their diet.”  At the time they were looking for volunteers to participate in the three-year study to see if humans would experience similar benefits.  Critical thinkers would not be surprised at the last sentence pointing out that it was the first time such a link was found and that a lot more research is needed.

Another posting, undated unfortunately, list half a dozen benefits of champagne from an ingredient in a skin treatment to a surefire way to improve your mood – they don’t seem to be too embarrassed to state the obvious.  It also features health benefits from a study at (you guessed it!) Reading University.  “Champagne and other sparkling wines can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke because the polyphenols (plant chemicals with antioxidant properties) in bubbly help lower your blood pressure.”  Again further study is probably needed.

So that’s the reminder of the day from a big champagne fan.  Now, if you’ll excuse me, I am going to spend the rest of the day filling out a job application to work at Reading University.