Wine survey - Beauty is in the glass of the beholder

THE psychological weakness and insecurity behind ostentation are not as evident as they were a few short years ago.

Nevertheless, there are still more than enough opportunities for those who believe expensive means good to put their money where their mouth is.

The consumption of fine wines is one of those areas and those with a deep and unshakeable love of the grape will be disconcerted by the findings of a scientific survey carried out in Edinburgh. Though the report did not say if those questioned knew anything at all about wine the results will challenge more than a few preconceptions.

The scientists discovered that plonk has the same effect on the palate as wine costing six times as much, suggesting that people are paying for the label not the hooch when they buy that special bottle of wine.

Of course wine enthusiasts will refute this, the wine producers even more so, and continue to buy more expensive vintages. As in so many areas of life many of us are prepared to pay more just to prove we know best.