Insuring your schnooze ... gimmick?

His schnoz is not to be sniffed at.

A Lloyd's of London syndicate said Tuesday it is insuring the nose of winemaker Ilja Gort for $8 million.

The Dutch winemaker and taster took out the policy after hearing about a man who lost his sense of smell in a car accident.

CHEERS: Think you've got a nose for wine? See our blog on bargain buys from the vine

"I thought it must be a horror to lose your smell," Gort said. "It would mean that you cannot taste wine anymore. Tasting wine is something you do with your nose, not your mouth."
Gort, 47, said his nose is essential for him to produce top quality wines at his Chateau de la Garde vineyard in the Bordeaux region of France.

The custom policy covers Gort for the loss of either his nose or his sense of smell and has some conditions for protecting his nose. Among other things, he is barred from riding a motorcycle or working as a knife thrower's assistant or fire-breather.

And he can't be a boxer. "I may not fight against Mike Tyson," Gort said.

Jonathan Thomas, the lead underwriter for the Watkins Syndicate at the Lloyd's insurance market, also took note of Gort's long, curly beard in drafting the policy. A clause requires that the winemaker use only experienced barbers who will keep their razors steady near his nose.

AP release.

Total publicity stunt. Chateau de la Garde is a Bordeaux Sup. Not an especially sought after one, at that.

In another story Gort "said his nose could distinguish millions of different scents and was essential to guarantee the quality of his wines."
Tell you what, I'm willing to bet some serious money that he can't distinguish millions of scents.

I don't think it is a total publicity stunt. This is the man's living. I know that others ITB have insured same/similar in the past. Not all are winemakers, some are on the buying side of the profession. The amount seems extreme but considering the probability of having to pay off the cost between $1M and $8M may not be all that much.

[Robin Garr]

I don't think it is a total publicity stunt. This is the man's living. I know that others ITB have insured same/similar in the past. Not all are winemakers, some are on the buying side of the profession. The amount seems extreme but considering the probability of having to pay off the cost between $1M and $8M may not be all that much.

I agree, but I'd add that insuring the schnozz is one thing, using it as a media gimmick to get publicity is rather another. It's really a matter of taste, as it is for all food and drink, isn't it?

I'm a recent survivor of a schnozz op, by funny coincidence. I was not planning to post my medical bill.

I know that critics and buyers have had insurance policies in the past. But this is guy who makes a Bordeaux Sup that I've barely heard of, that sells for $10-15 a bottle. One article listed production at 80,000 bottles. More people have heard of this wine from the press releases over the nose policy than have ever heard of wine before, much less drunk it. It's worth noting that Gort apparently previously released a cuvee called "Double Oaked Ilja Gort" from de la Garde. Nope, doesn't sound like a publicity hound to me.

Robin, welcome back

[Robin Garr]

Robin, welcome back

Thanks, Dale! I'll be low profile for a while, but it's good to be home!

Welcome back, Robin.