Champagne corks on the way out?

Things are changing in the world of wines.  Read this news article from the BBC news on the demise of the cork.

“The new metallic cork is expected to reduce production losses.  A leading champagne producer plans to phase out the traditional cork in its bottles and replace it with a “revolutionary” metallic cap.

The design of the new aluminium stopper for champagne house Duval-Leroy remains a closely guarded secret. But the new cork will, it is promised, still produce the familiar “pop” and spray beloved of generations of racing drivers on the winner’s podium.  It will be presented at the London International Wine Fair in May.

The new device will first appear on a limited number of Duval-Leroy’s Clos des Bouveries range to test market reaction.
A spokesman for the family-owned champagne house said their primary aim was to avoid incidences of cork tainting, according to the wine magazine Decanter.

Cork tainting occurs chiefly when a chemical known as TCA contaminates the wine, usually from the cork.
It is estimated that metallic screw caps account for 15% of still wine bottle closures worldwide.”

Read more here

Travel companies face rise in compensation claims

Travel News:

A leading British law firm has warned that travel companies will face a significant rise in compensation claims if the financial crisis continues.Britons made more than 400,000 claims for lost luggage last year

Stephen Mason, managing partner of Travlaw, which specialises in travel litigation, said that the company had witnessed a record increase in claims over the winter. He warned that operators can expect an ever bigger rise in new claims this summer, as holidaymakers ensure they get value for money from their breaks during the economic downturn.

These claims can vary from travellers seeking compensation for holidays that fail to live up to brochure descriptions to illnesses or injuries sustained while abroad.

“On the one hand travel companies are facing more claims and on the other they have fewer staff to deal with them,” said managing partner Stephen Mason. “It’s been a pattern in the last few downturns. When times are hard and affording a holiday is pushing the budget, claims are much more likely.”

Insurance claims are also rising. Last year, Britons made more than 560,000 medical claims totalling £383 million – up 58 per cent on 2007. Claims for lost luggage were the second most popular, with nearly 400,000 British travellers seeking around £8 million from their travel insurer – up eight per cent on 2007. Claims for flight cancellations were also up, rising 24 per cent to 240,000 claims.

“Medical claims are still the most costly for the travel insurance industry,” said Perry Wilson, founder of InsureandGo. “Unfortunately the average claim value seems to be rocketing, which highlights just how important it is for people to have adequate travel insurance, particularly when times are tough.”

Source:  The Daily Telegraph, article by Charles Starmer-Smith