A French wine maker has insured his nose for £3.9 million, the Lloyd's of London insurance market said.

The bespoke policy was created for Ilja Gort, the Dutch owner of Chateau de la Garde in Bordeaux, to cover the loss of his nose and sense of smell. Mr Gort, who produces Tulipe Wines, said his nose was his most important asset.

While the tongue has only five areas of taste, the nose can distinguish millions of different scents, he added. "This certainly is an insurance policy not to be sniffed at," said Jonathan Thomas, lead underwriter at Watkins Syndicate who co-insured the policy with Allianz Nederland.

"The nose and sense of smell of a winemaker are as important as the fingers of a chef."

How does a winemaker smell? Bloody awful!

It worked out at about £5 an ounce.

The original was here.