Celebration Time!

The breasts of Napoleon’s sister Pauline were so wonderfully beautiful that the shape of the traditional champagne saucer glass was modelled on them – or so the story goes.

Champagne is the drink of celebrations and has been so since the monk, Dom Perignon in the seventeenth century discovered how to create magical bubbles within the wine bottled themselves. Just how he would have coped had not corks been conveniently invented at the same period is only to be imagined.

Recently, we sold a magnum bottle of 1955 Moet et Chandon Imperial champagne. It was bid up to £200, rather more than we expected. However, the condition of the Lot was impeccable. Great care had been exercised in storing the bottle, the cork was still good and so was the foil capsule. The label proclaiming the vintage was as fine as could be. These points are important in assessing rare and vintage items. Perhaps the most important thing is the cork. If that is soggy then the contents have probably admitted air and the liquid level will have gone down. Of secondary importance only will be the labelling and advertising. It goes without saying that a quality wine will always command a good price if it is in good condition. A bottle of cheap plonk however long you save it will never improve in taste or value. Drink it and enjoy it is the answer.

So who would buy a costly bottle of vintage wine? Apart from connoisseurs who detect a good investment when it crops up, there are those who like a bottle to commemorate a particular year, a birth or a marriage.

Complimentary valuation events (for silver, jewellery, pictures, antiques and collectables) with auction industry experts are held Mondays and Thursdays from 9.30am to 11.30am at Friary House, 47 Uttoxeter New Rd, Derby. Phone 01332 296369 for further information and home visits.