London, Apr 19 (ANI): Fancy some wine today? Well, the fruition of your desire will end in disappointment - not because of bad selection or the bottle being corked but due to a cosmic force: the moon.

A growing number of experts reckon that today is the worst possible day for a glass of the old vino.

According to scientists, wine changes its taste with the lunar cycle. And most of yesterday and today is a Root period, when the moon casts an unpleasant flavour.

It has emerged that Tesco and Marks & Spencer only invite critics to taste their ranges when the moon-related biodynamic calendar dictates that wines will be at their best.

Both firms pay strict attention to a moon calendar published for nearly half a century by a German great-grandmother called Maria Thun. She has divided the days of the year into ‘fruit’, ‘flower’, ‘leaf’ and ‘root’ - the first two are best for drinking wine, the second two worst.

Pierpaolo Petrassi, Tesco’s senior product development manager, admitted his firm held its tastings in line with the calendar.

“Our first choice is a fruit day. We seek to avoid root and leaf days. It may be a little step beyond what consumers can comprehend. We have so many other things to educate consumers about,” The Scotsman quoted Petrassi, as saying.

M&S winemaker Jo Ahearne is another convert.

“Before the tasting, I was really unconvinced, but the difference between the days was so obvious I was blown away,” he said.

David Motion, a London wine merchant, said: “I live in the city and don’t think much about nature, but it is clear it has an influence.” (ANI)