Ilja Gort, Dutch winemaker and producer of Bordeaux-based Tulipe Wines has insured his nose with Lloyd?s of London. Lloyd?s is the leader in writing insurance policies that specialise in people and their parts: Gort?s nose now holds company with Fred Astaire?s legs and Keith Richard?s hands. Gort maintains that he can distinguish between millions of different scents and his nose is essential in ensuring the quality of the wine he produces.

The 47-year old, whose policy forbids him from participating in winter sports, boxing, and fire breathing (?!) has gone the extra mile. He told a reporter "I've stopped nose-picking.? We sort of admire his Dionysian devotion, however deranged it may be.

By Kira Hesser

Image courtesy of Ores2K's Flickrstream.