A team of researchers has developed a so-called electronic tongue, which is said to be able not only to recognise a grape variety, but the vintage of the wine as well.

Using a number of chemical sensors, it is claimed the invention will recognise the variety as well as the vintage of a wine. This is claimed by a team of Spanish and German scientists. The sensors are capable of identifying several substances in the wine, and can calculate the vintage from the ratio of these and from their quantity. The inventors plan to use their invention as an aid in tracking down fake wines. They claim the product is inexpensive and portable. (WF)